Walking All The Way

One sunny school day I saw a teacher out in front of the school with two babies who had recently started walking. Each was holding their teacher’s hand and walking to the front door. I was struck by how they really were no longer babies, but toddlers. The teacher brought them into the office and headed toward their classroom. Nicolas did not want to go in. He kept circling around and heading back for the front door. I decided to take a few minutes and see what he wanted to do. (Actually I had a pretty good idea.)

So Nicolas and I went out the front door. Nicolas turned to his left. The walkway in front of the school spread out in front of him all the way to the corner of the building. I’m sure he was thinking to himself, “Whoooooooooa! Look at that! I can walk aaaaaaall the way down there!”

So we set off with Nicolas in the lead. Being a thoughtful and quiet little boy, he concentrated on his task in a very single minded way. I walked behind him talking about how wonderful walking was. (I’m sure I didn’t need to tell him that.) I wanted him to hear the words that went with his activity and his experience and I think it was also my way of sharing his accomplishment and satisfaction at practicing his new skill.

A few times, especially as we neared the end of the walkway and Nicolas was getting tired, he would lose his balance and plop down. Not discouraged, he got back up each time and continue on. And he did indeed walk aaaaaaaall the way to the end of the walkway! He would have continued, but I could see that he was tired. So I picked him up and took him back to his classroom.

Babies practice and practice and practice walking. At first they fall down more than they make forward progress. But the practice is effective and they fall less and less. Finally they master walking. Challenge, effort, and mastery. Is there anything more satisfying? I don’t think so. Learning is such a rewarding part of children’s lives. I really so enjoyed sharing this experience with Nicolas!