Unfolding The Canvas of Learning: Learning Step 07

When a child gazes intently at an object, an urge to learn about it arises in their mind. They immediately attempt to touch and grasp it. This is a constructive action undertaken by the child. Researcher Claire Lerner states: "The impulse to look at, pick up, and grasp an object is an act that reveals the child's intentionality. It serves as a prelude to the innate qualities essential for learning, attention, interest, and engagement in the child's development."

Therefore, a mother's attention is crucial in shaping and guiding the child's intentions. This is why the mother is considered the child's first teacher. Consequently, one should place the object the child seeks at a short distance to encourage their effort to retrieve it. The child's interest, desire, and intent should be appreciated. Provided the object is safe, their exploration such as feeling, smelling, rolling, or turning it over should be encouraged and valued.

When children experience such interest and drive, they lack prior knowledge or experience regarding the object they are exploring. They do not know whether the object is safe or not. This is precisely when children require heightened safety and supervision; thus, the attentive care of the mother or other adults in the household is essential. There is a high likelihood of incidents such as inadvertently touching hot objects or handling items that are unsafe or inedible.

Often, while children are learning in this manner, parents and family members attempt to stop them by saying things like, "Don't do this" or "Don't do it that way." This is not the right approach. Psychologists argue that instead of simply telling children "don't do this," it is far more important to adopt a constructive approach by guiding them on what should be done. In some households, very young children are left sitting in front of the screen for hours on end, often with the misguided notion that as long as they are occupied watching it, they won't cause any trouble!

Research clearly illustrates the harmful effects of this practice. Numerous reports indicate that leaving young children alone with screen viewing experiences significantly impacts their mental state. Studies suggest that such exposure can sometimes affect a child's subconscious mind and emotional well-being.