A bundle of sticks : Fall Classes: Week 1

What is the Sense of Wonder?

Our sense of taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell seems much more logical, definitive, and easy to explain.

   Can you teach a child to wonder?

I don't think so.

I don't think it's necessary...you just have to LET them wonder.

Many times, when you see or think of the word Wonder...you might picture Nature, Art, or Wide eyes.

 And those are important aspects of wonder.

But...what about the Wonder that happens between our own species?

How can we be captivated by one another?

How can we begin to be curious about our fellow human?

As I mentioned above, the child IS curious about other children.

Often, this is the most important part of coming to The Wonder Studio.

Americans are very celebratory of independence.

After all, we fought very hard to earn it.

 However, this independence has trickled down from our government and into our schools.

And even further into our families.

 Do you know the story about the sticks?

This is what my daughter asked me the other day.  
She came home from Kindergarten and proudly told me the following story:

 The Father and His Sons 
A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. One day, he told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the bundle into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered his sons to break the bundle in pieces. They tried with all their strength, but were not able to do it. 
He next opened the bundle, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon which they broke the sticks easily. 
He then said, "My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this bundle, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies. But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks." 

In Unity, there is strength.

All humans want to make a connection with another...With toddlers, it often seems rather harsh or violent.

They may take a toy from your child...they may bite your child...they may push your child...

Your child may take from another...Your child may bite another...your child may push another...

These are just the beginning characteristics of a child who wants to connect.

Loris Malaguzzi of Reggio Emilia, Italy...said that a child's self-identity is constructed out of relationships formed with people and things in the environment: without the group, the child could not find or develop any identity.

Sometimes, this means the child will do things out of the ordinary or things that you wish they wouldn't.  
However, it's a beautifully overwhelming and satisfying thing to become part of a group.
In this safe place, we are able to try on new characteristics.  Sometimes...they may stick...and sometimes they do not.

What is our role here?
How can the adults at Wonder Studio support children in their wonders?

1.  Observe the children
2.  Follow their lead
3.  Understand that toddlers make connections with other children differently than we do and even older children do.
4.  Let go of judgement.
Try not to judge what your child does or what the other children do.
Look at those "questionable" behaviors as opportunities for Learning.
5.  Hitting, biting, and destruction of property are stopped by the adult.  Firmly, but without being overly dramatic...saying to a child who is about to hit or bite or kill a worm ;)  "I won't let you hit Suzy."
Saying, "I won't let you" lets the child know that adults are there to help and protect.
6.  Try not to force sharing...Instead...teach your child to wait, to take turns, etc...
Read here:  http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/raise-great-kids/socially-intelligent-child/toddlers

Overall, our job is to help our children to develop their bundle of sticks.
These bundles include other children and other adults.
Helping them to see that the other children and adults in class are sources of joy and learning.

Ok...Let's get busy!