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Communicate : What's New
Since December 29, 2009

Intentionality, on the importance of

This question was part of a long email that I just finished responding to:

I want children to combine materials (why do the kitchen toys always have to stay in the kitchen?)

This was my response:

Another great question! But when I say, Here is my response: "Good question, why DO they have to?" Some will not answer it, think about it or kick it around. Instead, they will take the easy way out and will choose to hear (incorrectly) that it's OK for all the materials to be strung willy-nilly all over the classroom.

I cannot stress the importance of intentionality. One might decide, no, the kitchen stuff needs to stay in the kitchen. Fine. But do you know WHY that decision has been made or is it just what the lady who used to work in the room told me and I never thought about it before..... is it because I don't want to have the stuff all over the place... is it because no one ever allowed me to think about it being OK that the stuff even is allowed to move around? why why why why????! was and is my mantra and guiding question. but I repeat, NOT TO BE SASSY or to appear stubborn, but to encourage ALL of us who work with kids to keep this in mind:

what are we doing? why are we doing it? and who are we doing it for?

and if any point the HONEST answer is, "I don't know" we need to stop, start thinking about it, and not move on until we do.

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Thought I'd post it up here for your consideration and discussion. Hope you are all enjoying the season. Blessings and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010!

love

tom and lisa