Open2it Community Blog

 My response ties back to Montessori training and a deep belief in what she called "The Universal Child".   -Soapy

In case you missed his excellent essay on the human learner the first time around....  Reiserer's Faded Memories of Knowing Everything

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Once upon a time I watched my very ADHD 7 year old build a chain of Tinker Toys.  

It sort of resembled a pivot irrigator - like triangular prisms linked together in section after section.  I knew she had seen irrigators in the fields along the river where we bike but I never like to put my assumptions in a child's mouth.  

I asked her to tell me about her creation.

(Lean in a little closer because this will break your heart. )

She paused and sat back, surveying her sculpture, "It's no good because I don't know what it is." 

That was it.  No further explanation. We both just sat there staring at it. I fumbled for a response.

Did I mention we were at an appointment with a child psychiatrist to try to determine if her ADHD was really impeding her ability to learn?  Nothing like a little pressure to come up with a good response.... 

Should I try to tell her what I think it is?  Should I tell her that when we make something beautiful it needs no other purpose? What to do, what to do.... Think faster!  Ah ha! Got it!  

It wasn't about the creation; it was about the process.....

I rummaged through the toy box and found some of the joiners and sticks. 

"Show me again?"