I guess most of us like to take things easy. Children do too. So you can often see them shirking from taking the tough way. But many times they take up the tough way. I guess the shirking happens more in tasks determined as important by us (eg: taking a bath). Obviously, initiative happens in things that they like.
If this is how it is, then would it make sense for us to bring things to children in such a way that they like, and if they don't, then not expect it.
So here is a situation:A child instead of writing a report on the trip he just came from, shares umpteen details with her friends.
Is she in the comfort zone or the Challenging zone? What can we, as parents, do about it?
Is she in the comfort zone or the Challenging zone? What can we, as parents, do about it?
Share your thoughts in Telegram group. If you are lost regarding the zones, chances are you missed attending the first session - do catch up on the recording or read a small note below:
The three zones (comfort, challenge and frustration) which Vygotsky talked about, gives us perspective on how and when to facilitate the child.
The premise is that learning primarily happens when the learner is in the challenge/learning zone.
However many times we end up either rescuing the child who is in the frustration zone, or we get impatient with the child in the comfort zone.
A simpler approach is to nudge the child using various strategies. When I can nudge the child into the adjoining zone of challenge/learning (from frustration or from comfort) then why would I bother throwing the child (from comfort to frustration) or rescuing the child (from frustration to comfort).
In any case, in the comfort zone, the child rarely learns anything (Since he/she is not doing anything new)
nor in the frustration zone where I am not ready to do anything new.
Successful Video games and movies, as an example, do this very well - keeping me in the just-enough-challenge zone. If it is too easy or too predictable, it's boring. If it's too tough or complicated we give up. They give just the right amount of excitement.
nor in the frustration zone where I am not ready to do anything new.
Successful Video games and movies, as an example, do this very well - keeping me in the just-enough-challenge zone. If it is too easy or too predictable, it's boring. If it's too tough or complicated we give up. They give just the right amount of excitement.
When working with children, in many cases children are able to do stuff themselves. In those cases, I, as an adult around, would shut up.
In other cases, maybe, I would be better off thinking, "In what different ways I can play a role so that the child is able to enjoy this challenging zone. Maybe I can be a co-doer, or an assistant, or an observer, a videographer or ...
When playing Badminton or TT (in which I am good at) with young children, I play with my (weaker) left hand. This ensures that I am not bored and they are not outplayed (frustrated) - both of us enjoy the game in our respective challenge zone.
warmly
Ratnesh (Ph: +91-98450-45833)
Open learning group on Telegram
Aarohi is an Open Learning Community for learners of all ages: Open to all kinds of interests, abilities, styles and content areas. Learning by doing what one wants, how one wants, and self reflection. Community to co-live, co-learn and co-support each other. Aarohi's Campus is in a village near Hosur in Tamil Nadu (55km fm Bangalore).
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