This afternoon, I glanced up just in time to see Joy lose her balance and plummet forehead-first toward the carpet. They probably heard that "BONK" as far east as Detroit. After the standard 1.7-second pause during which a toddler mentally registers that they're hurt and not happy about it, Joy started wailing while I did my best to comfort with hugs and few favorite toys. I found myself wondering why baby stores don't sell infant-sized helmets with full face guards in their childproofing sections.
I also got to thinking about the oft-used analogy that we should approach life like toddler learning to walk. Most people focus on the fact that babies don't let the frustration of mistakes deter them from their goal of walking. I think it's also significant to point out that learning to walk isn't just difficult and fraught with mistakes - it hurts! If Joy invested a dollar for every time she bopped a body part in the pursuit of mobility, we wouldn't have to save a cent for college.
What makes babies persevere despite all the bumps and tumbles? Is it because they have such short memories? Is it because they have no concept of failure, or simply that they don't yet care whether they fail at something that interests them? I would guess it's a combination of all those options.
As an adult, I can't simply forget that I have failed in the past and will no doubt fail at things in the future. However, I like Joy's example of making decisions based on interest and curiosity rather than fear. I'm better at that than I used to be, but I still have a little room for improvement.
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8 comments:
Kids are the best teachers but it takes a special mom to recognize all the things you can learn from them.
Check out this URL
http://lovemymunchkins.blogspot.com/2007/10/you-can-never-be-too-careful.html
You'll have to cut and paste. I have no clue how to create a link in a comment.
It's true, kids often are not affected by failure and stumbling blocks the way adults are. Except, the other day, Jake took about three steps, and now whenever we try to get him to do it again he crumbles into a heap on the floor and starts whining. I wonder what that means.
It is interesting that you post this given I have been contemplating much the same thing of late.
Have you heard of Ted Talks? They are a little too complex to describe here, but trust me, you'll want to look them up. Just google it. There is one in particular that is relevant to these thoughts of yours. The speaker's name is Ken Robinson and he discusses the education system and how it is designed to limit and eliminate creativity. He touches on the notion of how we educate our youth into believing that failing is a cardinal sin and that therefore shuts us down from achieving all that we might possibly achieve. If you search in the "culture" section, it is towards the end. They are posted in reverse chronological order.
There are lots of other things on the site, tons of other talks on a myriad of topics. Well worth the perusal (as in, careful examination).
Sigh - sometimes I am so, SO tempted to home school my kids. Trouble is, I'm such an introvert that they'd emerge with a stellar education and zero social skills.
Thanks for the link, STM. :) I figured SOMEONE must have invented a baby helmet at some point. I'm slightly tempted to buy one, but I'd bust up laughing every time I looked at my child, which would probably give her a complex. Plus, my relatives would tease me mercilessly.
Even in a flawed system you can get some wonderful teachers. Teachers who understand that failure is part of the learning process and encourage again and again in a variety of ways to help kids learn. Teachers who hate "grading day" as much as many of their students do. I have had some very good friends who home school and I have to be careful what I say about it, but I am an adamant believer in public education. I'll spare you any ranting here. :)
On homeschooling, I don't thinkg the decision should EVER be made unilaterally--ie, EVERY kid and EVERY subject. Besides, there is already so much we have to teach our kids. Maybe some things are better left to others who know more and have more experience.
And while it is true that creativity is fabulous, there is more to learning than just creativity. Some things are better by rote--like certain basic math concepts, grammar, spelling . . .
Sorry. I get a little sensitive on the topic of what-is-wrong-with-our-public-schools coming from people who don't actually work in the public schools, especially those that never have. I think our government would run much more smoothly if it was made up of teachers, scientists and tradesmen than lawyers, businessmen and career politicians.
I know especially when they walk early. Christopher and Lauren walked at 7 1/2 months. Talk about scary.
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