To Understand is to Learn

I have a whole new perspective in how I teach or understand how my kids learn. First off, each individual is so different so there really isn't a "cookie cutter" method....or so I believe. As of late though I have been catching my kids do exactly what I do, good and bad. On Saturday we had just gotten home from taking Connor to soccer. He was in the living area taking his shoes, socks, etc off and making a mess from the turf that was left in his shoes and socks. Presli started cleaning up after him and said, "Connor, how many times do I have to keep cleaning up after you?" I am guilty. I ask my kids all the time how many times I have to ask them to clean up their rooms. See the bad. I should have a better approach. I can see that when my little 3yr old says it.

 

I have started to get the kids to do chores. I would say, Presli please clean your room. I would ask her over and over and I finally realized she has no idea HOW to clean her room. It was important to take the time to show her what I was asking.

Portuguese is chugging at a pretty slow pace. When we first arrived, I responded to people "I do not speak Portuguese." People would quickly stop talking and pay no attention to me. I would transition between "I speak English" to mix my Portuguese up just a little for my practice, but would receive the same result. Slowly I started saying, "I speak very little Portuguese" but it was amazing the difference in communication. People continued talking to me with great effort for me to understand. I am sure I still look at them with a blank stare because I can only catch words here and there and being talked to is more difficult than just listening in on a conversation. The heat is on! I have changed my phrase as of late to say "please, much slower". It's progress and I will welcome ANY progress with my Portuguese. I still pray every day that I will "get it" oh the patience! 

 

This whole language barrier has opened up a whole new perspective for me. When I ask my kids to do something, do they understand what is being asked of them? I have more empathy to those who don't understand what is being asked.  When I say "Dawson, come here." Does he understand what here or come means....and what my interpretation of it is? Lots of different dynamics. God has intended for us all to learn line upon line, so we fully understand the bigger picture. You can't be thrown into a huge garden and expect to know how to keep the plants alive without being taught what the plant is and what each item needs to thrive or survive....and then on top of that develop fruit, not just any fruit, great fruit!

 

In D&C 93:12-13 it says "And I, John, saw that he received not the fullness at the first, but received grace for grace; And He received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace until he received a fullness." It's pretty neat to think that we can become like God....if we keep learning and keep progressing line upon line. As God is, man may become.

 

 

"The more I learn, the more I learn that I need to learn more." -author unknown