Re: From the Beginning and Moving On!

From: Kathy Severson
Email: kseverson@chriatianheritage.org
Date: June 03, 2008

Comments

This is very interesting and thought-provoking. I agree that one learns something of high stimulation to them much better, and it is so hard to overcome something learned or habituated through exciting stimuli (one reason pornography is so difficult to overcome.)

In terms of teaching children, I think that we have tried so hard to make students feel good or produce outcomes through empty verbal or other external "carrots" that they look to that to define their feelings. Many people do not know how they feel because they have not had to wrestle with and define their own thoughts, actions, and emotions. Could training them to reflect on the processes of learning and living provide them with a vocabulary and framework to better understand and express (and accept ) themselves?

I think yes. I grew up (as I bet many of you did) in a product rewarded family and school environment. My first 14 years of teaching were in product-oriented schools. The last 6 years I have been in a school focused on teaching reflective practices to both students and staff. It has resulted in an environment of creativity and willingness to take a challenge, while being so safe/non-threatening. There is accountablility without judgement. It is so exciting to be comfortable in trying new things because I understand that the outcome will not the the end result, just a step into more ideas and trials. I have really "grown up" in this environment. I have been able to shed a lot of self- doubt and worry that characterized my old "perfectionistic" ways. I used to say that I'm not creative or have any original ideas-I had never been a risk-taker, but now I am surprised at how much creativity, excitement, desire, and joy I have. I have learned so much about myself by focusing on process in my preschoolers and in myself.