The Art of Noticing - A Practice
The Art of Noticing
Years ago, way back in 1986 - my Dad noticed how much his 8 year old daughter (yours truly) loved writing on the chalkboard at school. I remember him coming home with my very own green chalkboard that he carefully hung on the back of my bedroom door. He even bought the same “Teacher’s Chalk-holder pen” that my teacher used at school. He noticed how much I LOVED playing “school” and he wanted to give me some real “props” to expand on my play.
A few years later (1988) - he noticed his 10 year old daughter in a new home, a new state, missing her Kentucky friends and family, and for her 10th birthday, he bought her something she had no idea what is was, except that it was something expensive and something totally new to the entire world - a Nintendo machine!! He still has the picture of me (that my mom captured right at the exact right moment) hanging on his living room wall, my totally surprised self opening this present, mouth open shocked!
Notice what you notice - this is a practice we will try out this summer at Wonder Studio.
I like these 2 examples of noticing for a couple reasons.
The first story of my Dad noticing my “Teacher’s Play” is important because he was paying attention to my interest. An interest that was already there but he felt like he could support further with some new materials.
The second story - because he noticed something that I had never even considered or even knew about and he gifted me with new options.
I have seen this at Wonder Studio many times - parents and caregivers who are paying attention to their children. They are really interested in what their children are interested in, they support that interest by playing alongside of them, or pointing out to them - “Oh, check this out, you will like this!”
These parents/caregivers are also very open - open to learning what their child is noticing. They are patient and willing to give their child time to observe. The child needs time to see — to see what does interest them?
But - there is a balance. Sometimes we humans stay in our comfort zone and we don’t even NOTICE what we don’t notice. I will see a parent/caregiver point to an area at Wonder Studio and say -Let’s try that, it looks interesting. The child may resist at first, but with some encouragement, the duo goes to explore and finds a new interest together.
What I love about Wonder Studio is the opportunity for parents/caregivers to be there WITH the child - to dedicate some time really being present, noticing what they notice.
This is a lifelong skill that we will continue to discuss - but I know even now - at 47 years old, I really appreciate when someone NOTICES my interests or gives me a book they think I will like or sends me a podcast they hope I will enjoy. This is a human practice of flourishing that we can teach our children.
JOIN US!
