As we leave for spring break, here is a recent post from Christy Diefenderfer, Assistant Lower School Director. Enjoy!
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| Lower School robotics club participants challenge themselves! |
It is our natural tendency as humans to avoid discomfort. Yet,
it is when internal discomfort arises that our greatest learning occurs.
“Leaning in” forces a person to come face to face with the unknown, reevaluate
what they hold to be true, and notice misconceptions that may alter their view
of the world. Leaning into the discomfort requires open-mindedness,
flexibility, resiliency, honesty, and empathy.
Every time a child is presented with a new concept, idea, or
strategy, there is a level of discomfort. Our girls are challenged daily to
come face to face with discomfort. They do not just lean into it when it comes
their way, they actively seek it out. One of my favorite memories as a science
teacher was during a lesson on the nature of atoms. As I progressed through my
explanation, one student fully absorbing this rather abstract concept, covered
her ears and said, “Ms. D. you have to stop. You are literally blowing my
mind!” Learning something new can feel scary, especially if it doesn’t make
sense.
Naturally curious, students embrace the discomfort in their
learning. They ask thoughtful and often critical questions to make sense of the
juxtaposition that is happening in their mind. It is important that they are
learning to monitor their understanding, noticing when they do or do not make
the leap to true understanding. Students are encouraged to advocate for
themselves when a concept is unclear or a topic feels too challenging. The act
of admitting to themselves, to their teacher, or to their parents that they do
not understand something can, in and of itself, cause discomfort. As teachers,
we find ourselves saying to our students through words and actions, “Trust me,
we are in this together. I will help you figure this out.”
There are many areas beyond academics where students are asked
to lean into the discomfort. Students navigate teamwork daily; they learn to
listen to other’s perspectives, share their thoughts and questions
respectfully, and resolve the conflicts that inevitably arise. Students feel
dissonance as they hear ideas and opinions that are strikingly different from
their own, especially as topics become progressively controversial. We model
for students how to consider other’s ideas and value diverse perspectives. In
fact, the ability to see our complex world through various lenses is one of the
hallmarks of today’s global citizen.
Although our young students may not be able to articulate it, I
believe one of the things our Holton girls love about this school is that we
push them to lean into the discomfort. Our very motto calls each student to
“find a way or make one.” Leaning in to the discomfort can be emotionally
tiring, so it is no surprise that at times girls need a soft place to land and
time to rejuvenate. I hope this spring break offers them time to rest and
relax, and, when ready, to lean into something new and different. Have a
wonderful spring break!
