Kids' Opinions
Gathering feedback from the 3rd Graders about how they felt about the recent "Alligator Naming" contest with Daggerwing Nature Center, I confronted surprise responses.
The children were not afraid to be vocal about their reaction to how the contest was conducted. Some children felt that a contest makes them nervous. (I feel that way too, so I don't personally enter many.) But mostly, they wished they had more say about which essays and which art pieces were selected for the final winner pick.
How wonderful that they expressed these opinions.
When I asked the class what they thought of Whole Child Learning where they were learning through Language Arts, Science and Visual Art, one boy said he didn't like it at all. In his explanation, he said: "It was hard work....it made me think too much."
A good hearty laugh for his dear honesty and I thanked him for the compliment.
When the students were asked, "How many felt they LEARNED through this project?"....everyone's hand flew up enthusiastically.
Whole Child approach to education includes their opinions. I will take their comments seriously in molding the next contest.
Even though children for the most part live in a world of semi-fantasy, they're opinions are unspoiled by the "taint" of "political correctness". We can learn a lot from how children react and what they have to say.
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