This week I had to physically step back and reset rather than interfere with the children at play. This is what happened.

I said to the teacher that was outside with me that I was “hovering” near a couple of children monitoring the situation. She said to me, “hovering or in proximity, I am curious what you are thinking”.  This caused me to pause and reflect on my own meaning.

For me, hovering meant I was ready to “pounce” in to fix or stop something that was happening. Proximity meant I was close enough for the children to rely on me if needed. In proximity I could observe without the intention of intervening. As is turns out I did nothing as the children solved their issue on their own. I do not even know what the issue was. I do know it was not my issue to solve. It was theirs and they were empowered to solve it.

My experience is the same when allowing children to test their physical abilities, even with practice it is hard to observe and not rush in to “protect”.  Children need to assess the “risk” for themselves before proceeding. This makes for good decision makers, a lifelong skill we want to instill at a young age.

I am grateful for people who want a respectful discourse and allow for our respective learning and growth. I appreciate how language is powerful and sets up a way of being.

Will you empower children solve their own “problems”?