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child-centered perspective
hello beautiful people
child-centered perspective
As you look around at your house which happily shouts:
CHILDREN LIVE HERE!!
you may think to yourself...yep, we've got this child-centered thing down pat! In fact, you may sometimes feel like your own needs and wishes have been launched into outer space, when you consider how much space (and time and love) these wee ones inhabit.
Well, I invite you to take a fresh look at what child-centered means and to be inspired and energized by the possibilities.
Consider this scenerio.
A friend is playing with your child...your child brings her two sticks.
"How many sticks are there? Can you count them?"
He looks at her.
Then he points out a lady bug which has landed on her knee.
"Do you know what this is called? What colour is it?"
She is wanting to be helpful and she is engaging in the kind of interaction many of us consider appropriate with children...the kind where we are *teaching* them in order to *help* them learn.
Here's the thing. This interaction is ADULT-DIRECTED. And what I've noticed in my years working with children is that mostly they find it boring. They quickly lose interest. Maybe they feel like they are constantly being *tested* and perhaps they are just confused because they are being pulled away from their own genuine curiosity and path of discovery.
The other thing is that it takes a fair amount of energy for us to constantly be *teaching*. No wonder we are so drained.
When we let go and step into the flow to follow our children's interests, we are profoundly more helpful to them. We give them back their childhood.
And the gift to us is immense. We get to rediscover our own innate curiosity because they open whole worlds for us. We learn how to relax and be in the present moment, which is the only place where life happens. We receive them as we see them for who they really are: a window to their inner selves. Precious beyond words.
A child-centered perspective respects children's own interests and allows them to make their own discoveries. Since there are things that require our instruction, such as basic safety, let's stop being in such a hurry to explain and instruct them about everything else.
Practice:
Notice how often you go to label things that your child points out and to explain something about it. Instead...let your child examine it on her own. Sit back and watch. Say nothing. After some time, if it seems appropriate, ask your child..."what do you see?"
See what you can learn.
All is Well
With love,
kris
2007 kris laroche : all rights reserved