Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Self Discovery

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
-Aristotle

As adults we are fully aware of how complex the journey to self discovery can be.  This amazing journey is just as complex (if not more so) through the eyes of a child.  Children spend years discovering new talents, new abilities, new likes and interests, new emotions.  They are ever changing and growing into their own identities.  
The beauty of teaching young children is that we get the opportunity to take this journey with them.

    Throughout the first few weeks of school we set up a variety of provocations to allow our students the opportunity to look at themselves more closely and in greater detail.  These discoveries led to amazing discussion and reflection on the many things that make each child so special and unique.

 Discovery Through Mirrors:

"I have hair on my eyebrows!"
"Look how many teeth I have now!  I think I have them all!"
"I like my hair better when its curly, it's not curly today."
"My eyes are so bright now!  Can you see how bright they are Mrs. Cruz?"

Watercolor Self Portraits:

"I have a really big face and eyes.  I need to make a tiara because I love princesses!  How about purple for my hair?"
"Mine should have lips because lips are part of my mouth."
"My eyes are really brown!  I think yours are blue though."
"I think my body should be blue.  I would like a blue body better."
"My legs are big because I growed so much!"

Drawing a Friend:


"You have brown eyes and eyelashes!"
"I'm making a big smile for you with lots of healthy teeth!"
"I like pink just like you do!"
"It's hard to find the right colors for people!  Everyone is a different color!"
"Hey you have blue eyes just like mine!  Well, they look a little different..."
"What color do you think my hair is? Yellow or brown?"

Create a Face Provocation:


"Let's make green eyes like mine!"


"Look!  I made my teeth with buttons!"

Monochrome Self Portraits: