About 4words
“One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong.” I’ll bet you sang that along with me, didn’t you? It’s been a common refrain among the toddler set since it was written for Sesame Street in 1969. The song is accompanied by a set of 4 images, 3 of which “go together” in some way and one that doesn’t, and the viewer is encouraged to identify the “one,” the oddball, the outlier. This educational objective sits squarely and equally alongside learning letters, numbers, and colors.
For a long time, this little diddy and it’s accompanying message itched uncomfortably at the back of my brain until one day I realized why. This exercise, along with countless other grouping and sorting exercises, not only teaches children how to recognize differences, but also implies that finding differences is important, and good. But the thing is, we humans, and most living creatures really, do this instinctively. We are already hardwired to spot differences. It is essential for proper functioning of the amygdala — our “fight or flight” response can’t kick in unless we first notice a threat. And threats emerge from differences or changes in our surroundings or others’ behaviors. We don’t need to be taught this skill. It’s already in each of us. So efforts to teach it are simply reinforcing our natural tendencies at the least, and at the worst these efforts play a role in the development of prejudices and -isms.
What if, from the very beginning, we instead teach children to seek out what’s the same? What if sorting and grouping exercises ask kiddos to find commonalities, compatibilities, and connections among otherwise “unrelated” items, thoughts, and ideas? Imagine the creativity! Imagine the growth! Imagine the bonds!
Traditional educational models focus on imparting knowledge and information on young brains. And educational success is evaluated with right and wrong, true and false, yes and no, pass and fail. But here we are in the age of Google and cell phones, with far less need for memorization of knowledge and information. And the “absolutes” of our past have already done immeasurable damage.
Education, and society, MUST evolve. This is the next stage of humanity. Gone is the need for times tables and spelling practice. It’s time for us to shred the labeled boxes into which we’ve been taught to sort things. Our children have the incredible opportunity to go further than we ever imagined. They need us to teach them about potential. Possibilities. Connections. Opportunities. Correlations. Imagination. Commonalities. Exploration. Hope. Discovery. And unity.
So, I’m putting my money where my mouth is. Starting today, I’m going to be posting in our home -- and right here -- a set of 4 randomly generated concrete nouns, and challenging myself, my family -- and YOU -- to write down the connections, commonalities, correlations, and compatibilities we come up with. Sometimes — like this first set: fox, jaw, whale, lion — it will feel kind of easy. Other times — like the one coming up in a few days: hat, bird, pen, sari — we’re gonna really have to work at it. Maybe we’ll find connections in the objects themselves. Or maybe we’ll have to “paint a picture” that connects them. Or maybe you’ll notice a pattern or rhythm among the words themselves. And I fully expect my children (and you if you choose to play along) to surprise me with thoughts I can’t even begin to think. And every day our minds will find new ways to look at the world. And isn’t that exciting?
Rules for Commenting:
- Your thoughtful consideration is required before commenting. You may wish to formulate your own thoughts before reading through others’ comments, and then expand on them after reading other perspectives. That’s absolutely fine — great even!
- This is a place for positivity, openness, discovery, and growth. Speak your mind with kindness, and we’ll get along great.
- There will be no criticism, arguing, or attacks. If you don’t agree with someone else’s comments, that’s ok. You don’t need to tell them, or any of the rest of us. Discussion, on the other hand, is just groovy! If your goal is to “correct” or “teach” someone, move along. If you’re looking to understand, share, and grow, go for it! Just be sure to choose your words and your tone with that end goal in mind.
- Be open to learning. That’s what this is all about. I expect to discover new biases and shortcomings in myself, and so should you. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
- If I feel or learn that a comment is inappropriate, I reserve the right to delete it or ask you to re-work it.
- Repeat or blatant offenders will be blocked at my discretion.
