While working at woodworking, the children chose to work together on a machine.
Lola: Agnes, so what does this machine do?
Agnes: It shoots robots. Then the robots become shrimp that when people eat it, they feel love.
Clem: Agnes, how about if people are allergic to shrimp?
Agnes: Oh, it also shoots vegetables and fruit.
Kayden: When someone is sad or mad it makes them feel happy and love.
Clem: Is this machine made of wood? Are we still connecting it?
Agnes: Everyone, this is very important. You add to the love machine.
At reflection meeting, we revisited this new interest.
Adriana: What does love feel like?
Katherine: Do you see love?
Charlie: You feel it.
Julian: You have a heart inside your chest. When it’s tiny it feels angry. When it’s big it goes up and down, up and down. It’s big.
Clem: Caring disagreement
Katherine: What’s an example of caring disagreement?
Clem: So, you still care when you say, “I’m not your friend anymore”. You still care about them but you have a disagreement. That was our mantra.
Charlie: Ya. They say they’re not your friend and then the next day they say, “Let’s play.”
Aliana: They’re connecting but if somebody doesn’t want to do it, connecting, then say “I’m not ready yet.”
After having time to discuss, apply ideas to materials like wood and nails, then reflect again, the idea expands. We were delighted to hear the depth of knowledge about relationships that the children have. Caring disagreement and giving oneself time to reconnect after a disagreement are ideas we might have only applied to adult thinking. Perhaps because it’s only adults that we give time to. Slowing down our interactions with young children raises our image of their capabilities if we choose to see beyond the entry points that easily distract us. I mean, it’s pretty hard to set aside ‘love shrimp’ – especially when approaching Valentine’s Day and the gastronomic messages of love we anticipate! Cuteness delights while reflections often stun us into deeper connection. Wishing you a stunning Valentine’s Day and a well built love machine. – Kristin