My First Grader Taught Me To Knit

There is so much power in learning from a child.  I can't even count all the lessons I've learned from my son about slowing down, enjoying life, etc.  But to learn a practical skill from a seven year old. . .

Sam attends a Waldorf school, and one of the subjects is Handwork.  In first grade their eighth grade buddies teach them to knit.

So I ask him if he want to teach me to knit, and he explains that I need to make or buy knitting needles and yarn.  I opted for buying them!

He was a patient teacher, and I was quickly hooked.  I'm already looking up videos and he is explaining to me projects I could be making.

Why is this so good?  It's amazing to see your own child as the "expert" and yourself as the "novice."  It gives children confidence in their abilities.  It makes us both more open to learning and trying new things.

What can you learn from your kids or students?

This is going to be exceptional!

So my 4 year old and I went out to the driveway to paint!  We get messy and throw lots of paint on a canvas.  We use spray bottles of water to get cool effects.  He got to use his palette for the first time.  I just use paper plates for a palette!

As soon as he puts just a few stroked of paint on the canvas he says with enthusiasm and confidence, "This is going to be exceptional!"  What 4 year old uses the word exceptional???  Sam does!

I always talk up his paintings, so I think he does have confidence as an artist--probably more than I do! But I think the statement was about the whole experience that we were sharing.  Our time together outside doing something that we both enjoy so much.

It made me wonder when the last time I dared to utter the words in the presence of someone else, "This is going to be exceptional!"?????

I say that for my students, but what about what I'm doing?  When was the last time I shared some of my work, and told a coworker that it was going to be exceptional?

Many times the teacher is the student and the parent the child.

P.S.  I hope you find something you will share with your kids that makes them say, "This is going to be exceptional!"