The word connections seems to work its way into every single kid watching moment.
Baby Brody, seems driven to connect with caring adults. What and why is this so pervasive, so important, with the very young and how does it fit in with thinking and learning?
I am in awe of the strategies Baby Brody comes up with to ensure that we (big people) stay connected with his everyday experiences. He is a master at getting adult's attention while in a social context. He seems to know all sorts of tricks to keep us focused and talking together for every increasing spans of time.
Let me give you a few of the things he does.
When he passes me things like his soggy bread for me to taste, he has my undivided attention. I inspect the gooey mess, return it to him and he generously provides me with more tasty samples to try. We have a grand conversation about the details.
When Baby Brody hides behind a wall and then quickly pokes his head out into view...he has made a connection! Of course, I think it is hilarious and so we have a good laugh and repeat the routine a jillion times. Then we have a grand conversation about how fun this is.
When Baby Brody sees me, he gets a favourite book and gives it to me... He knows this will keep me focused and connected. We snuggle together and we talk about tractors and the wheels. As a result of our snuggle time...we have a grand conversation.
When Baby Brody holds up his short arms and uses his pointing finger to direct my attention to what he has deemed important...DOG... he has once again successfully managed a Grandma and Brody connection...we are now both "all about the dog" and of course we have lots of things to say about our dogs...This leads to a grand dog conversation.
When Baby Brody tries Grandpa's mashed potatoes for the first time, he throws back his head and opens his mouth as wide as he can and laughs. We all agree that this clear statement of approval is connected to the sheer joy of mashed potatoes. Everyone gets a chance to give him a spoonful of the buttery, squishy glob, Each time he responds with "the head back, mouth open wide and great big laugh" routine. The whole family has a grand conversation with Brody about mashed potatoes.
When Baby Brody finds the ball even though it rolled under the big ottoman and it is completely out of sight, he throws it at me with a great big grin, we have our connection. We have a lot to talk about now that the red ball is back in his hands and the throw the ball game can begin again and again and again.
Connections, Relationships and Learning
The very young thrive when caring adults focus on following baby's lead. Baby Brody does not learn about the world by himself. Parents and caring adults do many things to intentionally promote learning and thinking and language growth.
The most important catalysts that adults provide are the spontaneous, uncoached, unhurried, untroubled, sensitive interactions with the children they love.
Baby Brody works very hard to make sure we pay attention to him. He has his ways. All the big people have to do is notice.
And when we pay attention, Baby Brody is able to keep us connected for longer periods of time.
When we make connections , we have a lot to talk about.
And that is what and how all learning happens.
I have pontificated on only a tiny portion of what is embodied in this concept of "making connections". I believe that Baby Brody is banking all these connections and he now thoughtfully uses them to scaffold deep concept development. But that is for a later discussion. Brody is pointing to his Dad's Blue Jay baseball cap. He wants to put it on me and this of course is hilarious. We are going to have a wonderful conversation about hats.
In friendship,
I am the Grandma
Donna
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