I remember when our kids took their first steps. They first learned to stand on two feet, then, slowly, how to put one unsteady foot in front of the other. When they fell, we cheered. We didn’t say, next time try with your left first, or great, now take 7 steps. Sure, we cringed when they got too close to the coffee table, but we didn’t feel that they were underachieving as walkers. Instead we cheered because we saw their effort and the joy they got from this momentous first event.
We also saw how each fall brought our kids closer to their goal of walking. After a few weeks, they were waddling across the kitchen floor, hands in the air, giggling, of course.
When our kiddos were figuring out how to walk, we let them figure it out. We supported the effort and comforted the fall. We honored their pace, their style, their disposition because we had faith in the process. We knew that, ultimately as able-bodied children, they would walk.
And this, my dear friends, is my vision for how we watch and support our children in all kinds of learning. There’s no right way or wrong way, no over or underachievement. Instead, there’s standing, wobbling, balancing, unsteady steps, more wobbling on unsteady feet. And when they fall, we cheer. We cheer because we’re trusting the process, knowing they’ll get there when they get there.
Because just like walking, we are made to learn.
If you’re looking to help your kids learn, just like how you helped them learn to walk years ago, please know we’re always available. There are also some great resources for parents on the new Parent Resources page on YellowParachute.com.
Cara Thorpe
Founder & Visionary
Yellow Parachute Learning Partners
www.yellowparachute.com
612-361-7266
