We, adults may often think that
children know nothing. Think twice. Children especially on their first few
years are very inquisitive. Their minds think critically and their eyes are
powerful observers. They give questions which may seem shallow for adults but
admit it; even the wisest men cannot answer some of their queries.
Their young minds are like that
of a sponge. They absorb all the details they see around them. They even have
different perceptions with things.
On my journey as an educator, not
as profound as others but I have a wide experience with teaching people;
variety of people that is. I have taught children from preschool during my stay
in public school in our area. During my OJT because College Graduation, I have
taught subjects English, Math, Filipino, Values Education, Science and History
to children of ages 8-12 years old and there were at least 40 kids in a
classroom. I have taught intensive English training with my previous job as an
English Trainer for jobless, College Graduates (who still wanted to pursue
further English studies), out-of-school-youth and even professionals who were
not well versed in English.
Seeing a student who could
interpret an abstract picture or painting is very normal because that kind of
thinking is expected from them. But seeing a child less than 4 years old
interpreting visible and obvious things in a different way is a total shock.
This letter E on my laptop keyboard is never just an E for a child.
My son said it's a COMB.
This is what my son saw before he said that letter E is like a comb.
My big tooth comb.
Only during the time when I had
my son, did I realize that the minds of a month old – 4 years old are really
amazing. They have different impressions about just anything they could see or
hear. They ask several things mostly how and why. They have the exact hunger
for knowledge and thirst for answers.
These are plastic spoons. But my son, Kurt said it's SCISSORS.
Kurt and I playing with the electric fan. He said its like a microphone.
Probably because of the sound when you try to sing or talk in front of a turned on fan.
Just imagine how these little
geniuses would accentuate one thing from the other considering the fact that
they know less than adults. An example of this is when a child being a showed a
picture of a squid and says it’s an octopus and when you try to ask why, the
answer would be “because of the tentacles”. They do not know at first that
these creatures belong to the same habitat but because of their keen
observation regarding the tentacles, they give impressive remark that one
animal is like the other; however we all know it isn’t. But the mere fact that
a child compares one sea creature with the other is already a progress on their
HOTS or higher order thinking skills.
The cardboard of a tissue roll is also a microphone for my son.
It is the same with 12 months old
to 2 year old kids incorrectly giving the sound of “aw aw” for a cat or “meow
meow” for a dog. This kind of response is not wrong at all. As young as they
are, they still explore and haven’t noticed the difference between the two
mammals however, consider the existence of how they scrutinize these two
animals. Try asking further questions and verify why they have to a conclusion
that the sound of that particular animal is so different with the other. Some
kids would say “well, I thought it’s a dog because it has four legs and fur.
And like dogs, cats stay at home.” That is another proof of intelligence on
their reasoning skills.
The simple bucket could be a hat and a big basket for little kids.
There is always an endless
possibility for the youngsters. They just have to be guided carefully. Parents
or guardians should show good example all the time for kids are watching and
they imitate. They are very excellent imitators in every aspect adults do like
how elders act, say something or response to situations. They even act out the
way moms and dads dress up. Kids are always “mommy and daddy wanna-be”.
Role of Parents / Guardians in a
child’s brain development:
1. Never
underestimate little children.
2. Knowledge
is unending so encourage your young ones to be the best they could be.
3. Induce
positive thoughts and be a good influence.
4. Encourage
positive and good attitude, discourage bad ones.
5. Be
there when your child needs you. No matter busy you are, give time.
6. Answer
their questions honestly and if there are certain answers which are negative
turn it into positive. For example: My son Kurt is not allowed to eat chicken
meat because of his asthma and allergy. So when he asks why, I would tell him
that it’s not good for him however, he could try other meat like pork, beef and
fish. So he wouldn’t think about chicken and egg.
Besides, it’s the parents’ choice
whether they want they child to become a genius or a dullard.
