See Think Wonder

This blog post is part of the #blimage (blog-from-image) challenge recently set by Steve Wheeler and Amy Burvall. You can learn more about it on this videohttps://youtu.be/-7K8cA-Iub8. This particular image was set by @debsnet in this post.

This blog is going to be much shorter than any of my previous ones. Why? Because I don’t think I have much more to share. Over the past 6 weeks, I have shared my whole #EdVentures journey and I think sometimes you need to be still. However, @debsnet wrote and challenged me and @mesterman wrote an amazing piece, so I felt oblige to blog.

I SEE a small child playing with shards or fragments of shells. 

At first I thought, this child was trying to make a sand ball. He has probably made sand balls before but he doesn’t realise that this material doesn’t form into spheres.  

I THINK we should never assume what a child is thinking.

I THINK we should listen to the student to learn more about their thinking.

I THINK we (teachers) should also be permitted to play and learn by doing.

How do we not know that this child may like the sound of the shells cascading from his hands? How do we not know that he may like the feeling of scooping up the shells? Do we really know why he is playing with the shells? We all speak with children but how often do we listen…really listen? How often do we ask the important questions?

Sometimes teachers also have to listen to themselves. Teachers need to play too! Sometimes we have to take a chance and try something new. It may not be effective the first time (or at all) but at least you are learning, reflecting, persevering and hopefully growing as an educator. What a wonderful role model you are for your students. I watched many educators 'playing' at MaryMount when doing Design Do Discover in their vacation time. 

http://andreastringer.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/edventures-part-7-makers-at-marymount.html

I WONDER if he is getting frustrated.

I WONDER if there is a parent or adult telling him that he can’t make a sand ball with the small shells.
I WONDER what would happen if teachers played more.

Should we save time and frustration and tell our students the information or should we allow them the time to discover on their own or with their peers? My children didn’t walk or talk at the same time, why do we expect students to reach goals at certain dates or ages. Let's give students time to explore and learn both inside and outside of the classroom. 

So when you see students or educators playing or learning, instead of assuming their purpose or what they are thinking, why not question and start a conversation. When was the last time you played and learnt something new?