I spent several hours cleaning out my file cabinet of “teaching” ideas. It was fun to see my own evolution through the years.

I had folder after folder of cute crafts with samples. We no longer do crafts but rather explore the open- ended process of art through different mediums.

I had folders of science ideas. We now explore what crops up seasonally in our space and add “experiments” as are relevant.

I had old posters, magazine cut outs, instruction pages, samples; it’s all obsolete to where my path of learning has taken me with the children. If I stand back and I am observant with an open mind, I am the one who is learning. Our children learn while freely exploring and expressing.

How do you learn best? Is it by following someone’s idea about what you should know or do you explore your interests?