Thank you for sharing about leadership in the learning space. For me following the child always meant observing what interest them, which helps me to provide new experiences which build on their interests.
I get for many that this is the case - but I guess this is where my autism kicks in - because we are not following - like often teachers say "you are not listening to me" when they really mean, you are not obeying me.
We have taken a word and it means something else... and for those of us in the know, because we have been at it for long enough, and we were around when these discussions were big and important and we got to know what it meant as an active verb of observing, but equally as a challenge to the teacher down process.
But what I am seeing is that people use this statement over and over in a way that it's hollowed out the leadership part of what we are doing, and there are many adults who are afraid of leading and stepping in - and of course there are too many adults that are controlling and dominating the space too.
Observing, listening. noticing are all words that I can get behind... just not following - and as many will respond like you - that following means observing... then why do we need to use follow, when follow is such a binary of lead and follow - although I guess there is observe as well - but I that is maybe a little on the side and not truly a part of the dynamic. Why not a more equitable term? But maybe we don'y need something to replace following - maybe we just describe how we notice, observe and plan to ensure the children can evolve, be autonomous and thrive?
Thank you for sharing about leadership in the learning space. For me following the child always meant observing what interest them, which helps me to provide new experiences which build on their interests.
I get for many that this is the case - but I guess this is where my autism kicks in - because we are not following - like often teachers say "you are not listening to me" when they really mean, you are not obeying me.
We have taken a word and it means something else... and for those of us in the know, because we have been at it for long enough, and we were around when these discussions were big and important and we got to know what it meant as an active verb of observing, but equally as a challenge to the teacher down process.
But what I am seeing is that people use this statement over and over in a way that it's hollowed out the leadership part of what we are doing, and there are many adults who are afraid of leading and stepping in - and of course there are too many adults that are controlling and dominating the space too.
Observing, listening. noticing are all words that I can get behind... just not following - and as many will respond like you - that following means observing... then why do we need to use follow, when follow is such a binary of lead and follow - although I guess there is observe as well - but I that is maybe a little on the side and not truly a part of the dynamic. Why not a more equitable term? But maybe we don'y need something to replace following - maybe we just describe how we notice, observe and plan to ensure the children can evolve, be autonomous and thrive?
Actually, I never use the term, follow the child. I heard others use it and assumed it meant to observe their interests. I use observe and respond.
it's funny isn't it how words get used and trhown around... yet many us don't actually use them