When I Think of Child Development........

“Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors."   Khaled Hosseini       

This is a great quote as it reminds us of the importance of individuality. Our purpose is to guide and support a child’s development, not mold them with our ideas of who a child should be. We shouldn’t be “painting” children with the same paint brush in the sense they all learn or think the same way. We are reminded that each child does not come with a template, rather with an open canvas in which to learn and develop to their fullest at their own time and pace.    

“Pausing to listen to an airplane in the sky, stooping to watch a ladybug on a plant, sitting on a rock to watch the waves crash over the quayside – children have their own agendas and timescales. As they find out more about their world and place in it, they work hard not let adults hurry them. We need to hear their voices.”    

      Cathy Nutbrown

I love this quote as it reminds us that children are about the “sense of wonder”. To adults a ladybug on a plant is just that; a bug on a plant. For a child this lady bug creates many new wonders. They watch it crawl, notice the colors and try and touch it to see how it feels. Hurrying children denies them the opportunities to explore their wonders of the world. That may be a bug to us, but to that child it is like a new found treasure. We need to give children the time to explore the things around them. Children are naturally curious and learn through their senses, so it is our role to show some elasticity with our rushed routines and transitions and allow them the opportunities to explore. If we took the time to take a child’s lead and sit with that child and explore the lady bug together, we would realize that we are learning alongside with that child.

This video clip links with the lady bug quote. Watch for the child’s sense of wonder and see who is patiently waiting, not rushing the child as he explores his wonders of the world!! Enjoy!!!

This quote caught my attention as we have discussed this throughout this course. We can’t expect children to learn the same way. Each child is individual with different learning styles and needs. It is up to us as professionals to adapt, modify or change our teaching styles to meet the needs of all children so they can learn in way that fits their learning styles so they can be successful.

“If you haven’t time to respond to a tug at your pant leg, your schedule is too crowded.”                 Robert Brault

Just thought that I would end with one more quote that is more reflective than anything!!!