http://www.theworldinstituteofslowness.com/slowadvice
I found this lovely video on the World Institute of Slow living website today and I was reminded of the magic that happens when an elderly person and a child sit together. Seeing my grandmother recently, I watched her sit down with my little nephews and nieces and captivate them for hours at a time. I had never seen them so quiet and peaceful in my life! And I realized that it is not something specific that she does...it is something specific that she doesn't do. She doesn't tell stories or lecture or do activities, she doesn't do anything at all actually, she simply listens to them and asks them what they think about things. So much of our children's education consists of telling them what to think, what to remember, what to do, and yet learning, REAL learning, as we all know, is about finding the answers for oneself. Out of the mouths of babes, as the expression says, comes true wisdom, and those who have lived long enough in the world, like my Grandmother has, will tell you that there is nothing more enlightening or joyful than listening to a child speak or watching them learn. Let's take a moment in our own lives today and give a child the space to be heard. I myself am going to leave the dishes for a moment and have my nephew show me his book on optical illusions!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Nina
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