I remember arriving in Seattle over a decade ago. It was during another recession and I was a recent college graduate, naïve, determined, maybe a little entitled, probably annoying and incredibly independent. I found a job, but was lonely, unfulfilled, lost.
I went to see a counselor, hoping to get some advice, but instead walked away with just one question. I was told to imagine my little girl self, standing at the foot of a mountain and to ask, “What does that little girl need?”
Come again? Aside from visualizing someone holding my hand, I couldn’t really answer. Feeling frustrated and even more alone I went back to work.
Galinsky puts into words what that little girl, really what any little girl or boy, needs.
Young children are hungry to learn, and they are hungry to learn from you. They need someone to take an interest in what THEY are interested in. To provide the structure needed for them to discover their own worlds, safely and securely. They need to be lovingly prodded, encouraged to stretch, connect, repeat and learn.
We are social, emotional AND intellectual beings. Children learn best when they are able to own their own experiences and have the opportunity to talk it out with someone they trust. When their efforts are encouraged, more self-directed, engaged learning ensues.
Thinking back to my visit with the counselor, my answer to her question wasn’t entirely wrong. That little girl did need someone, maybe not someone to hold her hand, but definitely someone to offer encouragement, support and a safe place to explore. We all do.
Galinsky asserts that “learning is more effective when you use what you need to know actively.” As an early learning community we need to know how to support self-directed learning and to engage in it ourselves. We invite you to share YOUR experience with us at this year’s 36th annual conference in Vancouver, WA, October 18-20 as we further explore Reflection, Relationships and Renewal.
Jan Burrell
WAEYC Programs Manager
