Adventures in Home Education
Honouring Exploration

A couple of days ago I watched as Scarlett explored with a new kind of paper and a new kind of paint. I was reminded again, that EXPLORATION is the first step and should be honoured with the space, time and concentration it needs.

When one is exploring, its a process and in no way-shape-or-form a product. The exploration is not meant to 'be something'.

It happens that many well-meaning adults sit with young children and direct, suggest, press for something else from the artist, something the artist is not even ready for - when they are exploring.

Perhaps if we approached each child as a master-artist when they have a 'quill' in their hand? Would we be quiet and observe, watching the master at work?

...Or would we be like "Can you draw me a cat Jackson?" "No that's not how you draw a cat, let me show you." "You're spilling it Jackson, keep on the paper, oooh that looks like a dolphin, but you have the wrong colour there, dolphins are grey, get the grey paint over there will you Jackson." I am willing to bet Jackson Pollock, the master-artist didn't get spoken to like that.

Honour the Artist.