If the learning is meaningful, and children like it, they will reflect on it

This morning, my six year-old approached me excitedly with the another beautiful cartoon. My only contribution was the "+" sign beside the "1" that she added, a miscommunication of something else I was saying to her. I wanted the machine to be the "x + 1" machine implied by the function f(x) = x + 1; she was satisfied with just "x +". The addition to her implied everything she needed.

So, how did my daughter decide on drawing a cartoon with a number machine? Well, some weeks ago, we did a simple lesson on functions, building on previous simple concepts.I used the function machine concept once in that lesson, more of a question and answer, via a workbook (not our students-teacher created book this time). But the idea resonated with her beyond the schoolroom. She found it meaningful, even if the concept were abstract for young children or the general population. Yes, this is the general experience of children, in my opinion. They latch onto what their environment portrays as meaningful, unfortunately, even the negative stuff. Even the abstract things.

So, I am encouraging my fellow-parents and fellow-teachers to encourage our kids to in the wonder of learning. It is not always easy, as life often gets in the way. But it is a most worthwhile venture!