Have you ever looked back on a situation and realized you completely misjudged someone? It happens to all of us, and often, these misjudgments can be about children and their learning styles. In this project, I'll share a personal story about a time I misunderstood my son's learning process and the valuable lessons I learned from that experience.

The Misjudgment

My son, Ade, has always been a curious and energetic child. He started showing an interest in numbers around the age of four. I was thrilled! I enrolled him in a preschool program that emphasized rote memorization and drills. Every day, Ade would come home frustrated, often in tears. He just couldn't seem to grasp the concepts of writing numbers 1-100, and his struggles made me question his abilities.

Self-Analysis

Looking back, I realize I made several assumptions. Firstly, I assumed that since Ade was interested in numbers, he must be a fast learner who thrived in traditional learning environments. Secondly, I placed a high value on rote memorization, mistaking it for true understanding. My own experiences with learning numbers as a child likely influenced my expectations for Ade.

Past Experiences

As a child, I excelled at memorizing information. I could recite multiplication tables and spelling lists with ease. This approach worked for me, so I naively assumed it would work for Ade as well. I never considered that children learn in different ways.

Learnings and Growth

One evening, Ade's tears after struggling with writing numbers prompted a deeper conversation. I realized my teaching methods weren't working for him. Deciding to take a different approach, I gathered some manipulatives like blocks and counting bears. Ade's face lit up as we started sorting and counting together. It became a fun game, and he grasped the concepts of number values much quicker through play and hands-on activities.

This experience completely changed my perspective on learning. I learned that every child is unique and learns at their own pace. Rote memorization may work for some, but it shouldn't be the only approach. There's immense value in play-based learning and catering to a child's natural curiosity.

Conclusion

Misjudging Ade's learning style was a humbling experience. It taught me the importance of observing children closely and understanding their individual needs. Every child deserves to be seen and valued for their unique strengths and learning styles. This experience transformed my approach to parenting and instilled in me a lifelong love of learning alongside my son.

Bilqees Bada-Olawale

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