As we enter another week of Distance Learning, we enter another week of opportunities with our children. As I wrote about in last week’s Tuesday Tip, there are positive aspects which come along with this unique time of being in lockdown in our communities.
In my opinion, we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! It appears to me that the city planners of Shanghai, planned with great design, detail, and deliberate selection to create small ecosystems throughout this amazing city. Whether you live here in Jinqiao, or in other nearby districts, you are most likely in lockdown with many beautiful flowers, trees, brush, grasses, and possibly water features. You may hear the frogs at night and the birds in the morning. In my opinion, our gardens within our compounds are quite extraordinary.
Nurture your child's natural desire to be curious
With this extraordinary beauty, combined with it being spring, you have the perfect combination to nurture your child’s natural desire to be curious and help them develop their imagination and discovery, while in the midst of the lockdown conditions. This week’s Tuesday Tip focuses on the benefits of nurturing your child’s curiosity, discovery, and imagination.
Some of you may be like me, blessed to be able to go outdoors to walk, play, and explore in the gardens of your compound. Some of you may only be able to hear the sounds of nature from the windows of your home. Regardless, now is a great time to talk about the wonders of nature and the changing seasons. Now is a great time to ask questions of your child, prompting them to think about the many things of Spring like: rain, wind, birds, frogs emerging, why trees have a variety of leaf formation and color, flowers, insects, and on and on. Your deliberate questioning can lead to their curiosity.
Perhaps your dialogue of inquiry can lead to drawing pictures of Spring together, which can include labeling images, comparing and contrasting trees or birds, or creating a collage of non-fiction words or even a full written piece. With you as the guide at their side, you can develop an afternoon of quality time together and academic time in discovery and imagination.
Find balance through Bloom's Taxonomy Pyramid
We educators consult Bloom’s Taxonomy for evaluating and reflecting upon our instruction. We attempt to be very deliberate in creating learning experiences in the highest levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, which increases in cognitive rigor as one progresses upward within the pyramid. Take a moment to review Bloom’s Taxonomy Pyramid and the image next to it which provides verbs for learning engagement. All levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy are important in educating students, however, it’s best to provide a balance of each category of thinking development and effective learning.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to go outdoors, take an adventure walk together. Explore the gardens looking for unique elements to flowers, tree bark, soils, leaves or bird behavior. Perhaps you might find tiny snails, aphid eggs on leaves, or new bamboo shoots. Your time spent in fun discovery and exploration can possibly continue for days. You are sure to see things in your compound which you may have never noticed before.
I encourage you to take the time to nurture your child’s curiosity, discovery and imagination. And you may just find out that your time together may bring back joyful memories of your own childhood and make these days of lockdown positive and memorable.
At Concordia International School Shanghai, we look forward to continuing to share Tuesday Tips with you and your family in hopes of adding hope, new ideas, or confirmation that you are making a wonderful difference in the lives of your child and our collective community.
Here's another tip that you may want to try with your young child.
