This morning I came across a photo story in the newspaper which really touched me. I searched for it on the internet because I thought it was the best way to start this blog. Pope Francis was delivering a homily on the importance of grandparents and family life. As thousands of people listened to him a little boy came onstage and explored the area. Pope Francis continued and apparently smiled as he spoke. The child at one point even hugged the Pope's legs.
Why is this episode so endearing? The altar is deemed off-bounds by many. Lectors, who read from the Bible during masses are expected to sometimes take off their shoes before they step on it and in some cases also cover their heads. While I saw these images, my spirit was teeming with warmth. While the Pope preached the importance of families and grandparents, he was also leading by example. At the risk of irking conservative faithful who might have considered the act of this child as lacking discipline, the Pope nurtured the inherent curiosity of the boy.
This reminds me of how babies and toddlers explore their surroundings and are often not allowed by adults- babies are stopped from putting things in their mouth (while very often babies are teething or they are using their sense of taste to understand unfamiliar objects), or disallowed from venturing too far when they are taking their first steps. This pattern is evident in adult caregivers of teenagers and adolescents too.
Although we as teachers and parents are concerned about the welfare of children (and would love to prevent them from choking, falling, losing their way, failing or getting hurt) we must be aware of how much the child is exploring in order to discover. Should the adolescent explore dangerous activities to discover that they are indeed harmful then? Or there are exceptions to every rule?
Although we as teachers and parents are concerned about the welfare of children (and would love to prevent them from choking, falling, losing their way, failing or getting hurt) we must be aware of how much the child is exploring in order to discover. Should the adolescent explore dangerous activities to discover that they are indeed harmful then? Or there are exceptions to every rule?
When we search we find. When we explore we discover. Discovery is learning. And
learning is growth.
Even for teachers.
Even for teachers.