tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post7122057879107967402..comments2024-03-26T07:07:14.304-07:00Comments on Teacher Tom: The Absurd Myth Of BootstrapsTeacher Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-53585644361224889692012-10-10T02:28:51.692-07:002012-10-10T02:28:51.692-07:00This blog has a rich source of creativity and reso...This blog has a rich source of creativity and resourcefulness. As a parent of two boys, it is difficult to encourage young sons to go to school without convincing them that it would be fun to learn. And as a parent, I'm worry that my son won't easily learn what he can see or hear in school. Your blog is such a blessing. It gives us insight of what teacher should I look for my son and who should I trust my sons learning. Thank you, great blog!Golfzoohttp://www.golfzoo.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-33661039855368422142012-10-08T17:21:39.440-07:002012-10-08T17:21:39.440-07:00It's a difficult balance. I often see my son (...It's a difficult balance. I often see my son (16 months) give up on simple tasks that I THINK he can do, but it turns out he's not quite ready for. On the other hand, spending some time with friends who have babies aproximarely the same age, I've watched another toddler pick up a large plastic jar with a loose simple screw top lid... And bring it to his mother, waiting complacently for her to free the "treasures" inside (some foam balls). My son doesn't get it every time, maybe not even most times. But before he brings it to me, he bangs it on the floor, tries to pry it off with his teeth (which works far more often than I'd like... Ouch), gets his fingers underneath and pulls, and generally abuses it in every way he can think of to get the lid off by himself. That's what I want to see... an attempt at least to solve a problem. I sort of wonder if the other toddler even saw a problem, or just knew that Mommy opens the jars.Meaganhttp://hadesarrow.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-92005779505112852442012-10-08T11:50:33.535-07:002012-10-08T11:50:33.535-07:00I love both the project and the idea behind it. A...I love both the project and the idea behind it. As a fellow preschool teacher, I totally agree with the idea that not all children or people, for that matter can pull themselves up. I truly believe that it is our job as educators to model both problem solving skills as well as how to ask for help when they're stuck. I always start the school year encouraging them to ask each other for help, usually a few weeks in they are more aware of their peers around them and begin offering help if they see others struggle. Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09286125155908847908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-72460214724767765672012-10-08T10:18:33.447-07:002012-10-08T10:18:33.447-07:00Thanks for this! It's a good reminder for us a...Thanks for this! It's a good reminder for us all to remember that the myth is, in fact a myth. Asking for and offering help to one another is what makes us connected, and helps us thrive as a community.<br />It's also important for us to disassociate ourselves from the negative connotation of the word "failure" Or as a it is said in one of my communities, "the only true failure is the failure to try". There is an online movement, sponsored by Morgan Spurlock (of "Supersize Me" Fame) called "Failure Club" People all over the country are setting up support groups in which they set personal goals so large that "failure" is probable, and then support each other in working towards those goals with an almost reckless abandon. The idea is that if we can let go of our fear of failure, and just keep working towards something that is important to us, we will accomplish amazing things.<br />This post (and many of your posts about "tinkering") illuminates that concept. If only we as adults could get back to the "I'm gonna build this!" mentality, and embrace the process as much as your pre-schoolers do! Thanks for fostering that in the next generation.Gyan65https://www.blogger.com/profile/11706154501956759649noreply@blogger.com