Perspective. Monday (Class 6) Tuesday (Class 7) Wednesday (Class 7)

 Perspective.
Debate class was one of my favorite classes in High School.
Until 9th grade, it never dawned on me that I could argue in favor of an issue that I really didn't believe in.
As a matter of fact, I found that I enjoyed the experience of looking at issues from a new perspective.
I am guessing there is a more technical term for this concept..but as you know, I ended up as a teacher, not an attorney. 

 Working with caregivers and parents and their children offers me many new perspectives each day.

I design and arrange many different experiences for children with the HOPE that I will be OPEN to their perspectives. 

 Wonder Studio only continues as I evolve my program to mirror the child's perspective.

There could be some who say that the Arts are all about "Perspective". Each person contributes and interprets the arts through his/her own experience and perspective.

For example, when I sing with a group, I feel great. I couldn't be happier. My brain is most likely attempting to hit the notes, keep up the melody, etc...but in my heart, singing is like breathing. It's an automatic process that just seems to happen on it's own.

 However, when I see or hear a recording of myself singing...I cringe and think to myself..."Is that really what I sound like?"
It's usually quite shocking.
My perspective is quite affected and even clouded by my fear of being judged by others.

There is no true perspective through fear.

And, that in itself...is pretty scary.

 Every caregiver worries. And worry comes from our fears.

We fear that something is wrong with our child.

We fear that we will fail our children.

We fear that we will be judged by others based on our child's behavior.

Fear and Judgement. The enemy to Perspective.

 A wonderful and caring nanny asked me the other day...what should she do about her "bull in a china shop" toddler that she is caring for while he is at Wonder Studio?
I am going to paraphrase here...but she had some fears...
What if he hurts one of the other children?
What if he takes away from the experience of the other children?
What if he needs more structure?
What if he needs more guidance?

 Of course, in the midst of our conversation...he runs over to a little girl and hits her upside the head.
After, talking it though with he and the little girl...
Nanny and I continued our conversation.

 In my drawing and Painting classes the teacher often asked us to look at our pieces from a new perspective, especially when you found yourself "Stuck". 
Turn it upside down...
Look at it really close...
Look at it really far away...

I think I really love that about Art.
It is all about finding a new way to look at something.

 I think that caregiving and parenting can be like this too.

Sometimes, it's good to have a new perspective.

 How can we offer ourselves a new perspective on our children?

I am thinking of the movie Forrest Gump when LT. Dan says,

"Get Down! Shut up!" (you know... the part in Vietnam)

 So, I think that through Silent Observation...we can begin to see our children with new eyes.

When I asked Nanny if she could sit in one spot and really really try to not "Chase" Mr. Bull all around Wonder Studio...she gave me a look like I was crazy.

I talked her into it.

She observed with an open heart as I played with Mr. Bull for about 10 minutes. 
The open heart part is important because when she let go of her "fears" she was able to see him from this new perspective.

 At clean up time, she ran over and told me what she had learned.
This new perspective helped her to see the little guy with new eyes. And, it also contributed to how she saw herself as his caregiver.

 This is the partnership between caregivers, parents, children, and teachers that I value so very much.
We each play an important part in the upbringing of a child.
I am so thankful to offer a new perspective and I am so very very thankful for
Perspective.