We take away the child's ability to be original, their ability to be different, their ability to be creative when we tell them HOW to think. Once we are able to teach a child HOW to think, that will open the door to that child to create ideas that we may have never thought of before.
Whitney, excellent quote from Margaret Mead and one as educators we must rememeber while teaching our children. That is why "open ended questions" for young children are important, it gives them the opportunity to think and give their own opinions and input about things. Shelia
ReplyDeleteGreat quote! I actually used this quote as well, it really caught my eye. We as adults get caught up wanting children to think the same way we think and what we think when we can actually learn something new if we allow them to use their thoughts. I want to also thank you foor all your inspiring and informative blogs. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteIt is important for us to allow children the time it can often take for them to explore and develop their own thoughts. It can be easy at times to get caught up in following a schedule or wanting to move on to the next thing and rather than allow that needed time we offer too much assistance, tell children an answer or offer a strategy for solving a problem. Whereas, allowing children the time to make connections, solve problems and draw conclusions on their own is what is needed to help them to experience authentic learning and become independent learners and problem solvers.
ReplyDelete