Life Desk :
A mother of three comes to the conclusion that regular doses of peace and quiet are required to ensure learning and development As a parent, there are ages and stages of sound.
Not to sound profound, but this morning, I’m giving ‘sound’ much thought… remembering the times when all I wanted was a quiet space for my thoughts.I was tired of child-sounds and baby talk, and demands. But in a short time of two years, I was relieved of that noise. If you send your child to school sooner, then even quicker. So yeah, the house quietens, suddenly. When they get home after school, activities (inout of home) keep them quiet too. As I realize this, I wonder if it’s okay. I know mothers reading this are thinking -“Is she mad? That’s a blessing.”
A few years ago, I would have agreed, but today I’m thinking about it with a small amount of sadness. Is quiet good? Education reformist and psychologist John Dewey to the rescue! He believed that silence is essential for human development and learning, through self-reflection. It didn’t come when you gave your child multiple, cool experiences, a hoard of talent classes or sent them to a school with a fancy brochure. Nope.
Could that explain why our children are anxious, hurried, and fairly blank today? Could they be longing for that missing element in their lives? There’s a lot of information online in favour of silence which is so convincing, that I’m now rather excited about my silent house.Well, somewhat silent… but hey! Learning’s happening. Who knows what goes on in the quiet recesses of the mind. We’re sold to the notion that shiny, happy people have got it right, and the quiet ones are suspect. Maybe, just maybe, we are wrong.
Holiday without an agenda.
I’m planning mine right now. It’s been too long since the family enjoyed unscripted moments of silence. Being out of a predictable space and schedule, throws up many chances to experience it.And if you’re uncomfortable with that, boy, is self-reflection going to help you.
Make time for nature.
Nature offers opportunities for much reflection and the answers to life’s many questions… in silence.Though this is a parenting suggestion, it can apply to all of us in our hurried lives. Think of all those decisions you’ll be able to make when the silence allows you to hear examine your own thoughts.
Have unplugged time at home.
Announce it. Make a big deal.Even great ideas need good marketing! Allow reading musing and other quiet stuff you can think of. It will NOT go well at first. In fact, no one will even understand what you’re up to. Give them time to warm up to it. And don’t give up. See it through. Slowly, your children will learn to choose silence, against our learned instinct to choose noise.
Create a happy, silent space.
Outdoors, if you can afford it. It has to be inviting, comfy, and a place of retreat. Think pale colours, cushions, and warmth. Withdraw to the space yourself to be still, to get back to the present moment, to learn from a mistake, to be mindful.
Turn off the music.
Notice the sounds when you travel. Listen to the smallest sounds when you’re having a meal. Freeing your children from noise can bring stillness and peace, stop the constant stream of wants, and lift you off the vortex to the future that you waste so much energy on.
Give them attention.
As much as they need, not as much as you have time for. You will reduce the noise by a huge percent.So word’s out. And it’s ‘shush’.
-ToI
A mother of three comes to the conclusion that regular doses of peace and quiet are required to ensure learning and development As a parent, there are ages and stages of sound.
Not to sound profound, but this morning, I’m giving ‘sound’ much thought… remembering the times when all I wanted was a quiet space for my thoughts.I was tired of child-sounds and baby talk, and demands. But in a short time of two years, I was relieved of that noise. If you send your child to school sooner, then even quicker. So yeah, the house quietens, suddenly. When they get home after school, activities (inout of home) keep them quiet too. As I realize this, I wonder if it’s okay. I know mothers reading this are thinking -“Is she mad? That’s a blessing.”
A few years ago, I would have agreed, but today I’m thinking about it with a small amount of sadness. Is quiet good? Education reformist and psychologist John Dewey to the rescue! He believed that silence is essential for human development and learning, through self-reflection. It didn’t come when you gave your child multiple, cool experiences, a hoard of talent classes or sent them to a school with a fancy brochure. Nope.
Could that explain why our children are anxious, hurried, and fairly blank today? Could they be longing for that missing element in their lives? There’s a lot of information online in favour of silence which is so convincing, that I’m now rather excited about my silent house.Well, somewhat silent… but hey! Learning’s happening. Who knows what goes on in the quiet recesses of the mind. We’re sold to the notion that shiny, happy people have got it right, and the quiet ones are suspect. Maybe, just maybe, we are wrong.
Holiday without an agenda.
I’m planning mine right now. It’s been too long since the family enjoyed unscripted moments of silence. Being out of a predictable space and schedule, throws up many chances to experience it.And if you’re uncomfortable with that, boy, is self-reflection going to help you.
Make time for nature.
Nature offers opportunities for much reflection and the answers to life’s many questions… in silence.Though this is a parenting suggestion, it can apply to all of us in our hurried lives. Think of all those decisions you’ll be able to make when the silence allows you to hear examine your own thoughts.
Have unplugged time at home.
Announce it. Make a big deal.Even great ideas need good marketing! Allow reading musing and other quiet stuff you can think of. It will NOT go well at first. In fact, no one will even understand what you’re up to. Give them time to warm up to it. And don’t give up. See it through. Slowly, your children will learn to choose silence, against our learned instinct to choose noise.
Create a happy, silent space.
Outdoors, if you can afford it. It has to be inviting, comfy, and a place of retreat. Think pale colours, cushions, and warmth. Withdraw to the space yourself to be still, to get back to the present moment, to learn from a mistake, to be mindful.
Turn off the music.
Notice the sounds when you travel. Listen to the smallest sounds when you’re having a meal. Freeing your children from noise can bring stillness and peace, stop the constant stream of wants, and lift you off the vortex to the future that you waste so much energy on.
Give them attention.
As much as they need, not as much as you have time for. You will reduce the noise by a huge percent.So word’s out. And it’s ‘shush’.
-ToI
