Just when I need it, I get reminded of the qualities of children. As I was with my grandchildren for a few days, I was reminded how children learn. I know this. I have dedicated my life to knowing this. It is just that sometimes we get so busy "doing what we do" that it takes a dose of reality to set our feet back on the ground to remind us of "how" it really happens.
The first time, I gave Braeden,age 2 1/2 a plastic scorpion. Now, Braeden knows lots about diggers and machinery. When I asked him if he knew what that was, he studied it and turned it all around and finally said, "A digger". I looked and just waited. He pointed to the claws and said, "grapplers" and then to the tail and said, "a scoop". He used all of his 2 1/2 year old schema or prior knowledge and used it to figure out what it was. It just proved all that "book learning" I had. He was very proud of himself. He did learn the name and I finally convinced him it was a "bug" but he is sure it is a "digger" too'
As Adam left for surgery in Cincinnati, I told him to write me a letter. We often send each other e-mails. He said he would write me a letter and bring it back when he returned. When he got back he handed me a neatly folded piece of paper. I thanked him, hugged him, and told him how proud I was of him for writing me a letter. I opened the paper to find he had neatly written a giant "A" on the paper. He had written me a "letter A". Children usually do exactly what you ask them to do. I tried to explain what a letter was but he already knows what letters are. He told me I didn't ask for a note or e-mail. I just need to make myself clear about what I want--in his language, not mine.
I bring these lessons back with me and I am happy to be back with your children. The surgery went fine and all of my grandchildren are well. I am blessed again!
Mrs. Lipscomb