10 Things Kids Teach Me Everyday
I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was sitting in my “teaching” chair reading from a (very boring) textbook, as I looked up and noticed that almost all twenty-four, 6 and 7-year olds were daydreaming in their own worlds.
Their fantasy worlds were obviously way more exciting than what I was reading. I knew it myself.
And I knew this wasn’t the way to instill curiosity and keep them asking questions; instead it was the “telling” and “listening” sort of teaching I didn’t even believe in. But because of lack of time, energy, and resources (along with the pressure to abide by recent standards), I had resorted to it.
Compare that to now, where in my classes, kids are excited to share. In fact, sometimes they are so excited, they literally can’t wait (and start wiggling incessantly until they can spit it out).
And guess what? Almost every day, I get messages from parents telling me about how their kids can’t STOP sharing about what they learned about mindfulness during our classes together, too.
That is because now I see my classes as a blossoming conversation between individuals, instead of something I must teach them and they must listen to, utilize and internalize forever. Because when kids feel valued, seen, and heard - then they too, value, see, and hear the message that person is telling them (me, in this case).
Therefore, in my opinion, the secret to good teaching isn’t extraordinary materials or perfectly planned lessons. It isn’t state-of-the-art facilities or small class sizes. It is being a present human being and simultaneously, treating individual kids as human beings too.
Often, in our society, kids' voices are devalued and “shushed” in an attempt to “teach them” or “tell them” what they could do better next time. Kids opinions aren’t considered or taken seriously. Just look at our public education systems as an example.
Instead, I like to think of every exchange I have with a child as an opportunity to understand them, their thoughts and feelings, and how they “see” the world around them.
And almost always, what unfolds is a beautiful, fun, and messy interplay of teaching and learning together - where we all hold the roles as teachers and students simultaneously.
What do I mean by that?
That I am a teacher, yes. But that I am also a student.
That the kids are also all teachers, or experts on something, as they are students.
The value in being able to switch roles and recognize that we all have things to teach and learn, is immeasurable.
It means placing value on the child’s opinion and listening to their voice.
It means taking kids’ needs and feelings into consideration and shifting your plans or ideas around those needs.
It means having an open mind when we are in a child’s presence and allowing them to share, teach, tell, or lead us.
It means seeing how your child’s curiosity and natural will to learn is a treasure, not to be tampered with.
It means allowing our kids to shine and having trust in them and their abilities.
It means accepting that life is full of unknowns and if we surrender to the unknown, we can better thrive within what is happening right now.
It means that we can’t always be in control.
Being trained as a teacher and getting my Master’s in Education, I have learned a ton about kids and tweens, their brain development, how to teach to varying learning styles, and how to teach inclusive of different cultures and backgrounds.
But one thing I didn’t learn in my Master’s program was how to really see each and every kid as an individual, with varying thoughts, beliefs, needs, and learning styles.
I especially didn’t learn that allowing my students to teach, guide, and lead others is maybe the most important type of teaching that I will ever do.
Because to this day, there isn’t a child I have met that hasn’t taught me something.
It is humbling and extremely rewarding for me to really “see” kids and encourage them to shine.
That is why I make a point of asking kids to teach and share things in every single class I teach. I ask them how they are feeling and give them choice and options about what activity they want to do together. I share about my weekend and ask what they did and enjoyed.
I want every kid to feel like their voice and opinion matters, because it does.
And in my teaching and learning process, I have found that kids have taught me some of the most invaluable lessons, interesting facts, and cool jokes that continue to shape who I am as a person today.
Here are 10 things (I can remember off the top of my head) that kids have taught me over the past few years:
If you don’t understand, didn’t hear, or you were daydreaming, ask. And then, ask again.
You can add playfulness and humor to even the most serious topics.
Say what you mean. And do what you say.
Some river turtles kind of breathe through their butts.
Knowing where you want to get better is the first step to getting better.
Playing and imagining is the fastest way to learn (and get over a bad mood).
Judy Blume used to make up her book reports and still get “A’s” on all of them.
Taking things too seriously makes them un-fun.
The best way to truly understand something is to learn about its’ opposite first.
Most video games take skill, focus, practice, and use creativity.
What about you? What have you learned from your kids, your students, or your clients? How are you allowing them to guide, teach, and lead in their own way?