My 5 Year Old; The Teacher

A few weeks ago my wife and I took our three sons to get their immunizations. The good news is that they are all done until before they go to kindergarten. While we were waiting, my five year-old spotted a flier encouraging people to eat locally grown fruits and vegetables. I of course starting quizzing him on the different foods and asked him to identify each of them for me. He did a really good job and was able to identify all of them. Then something happened...

he said, "Dad, what meal could you make out these foods?" Initially, I didn't really know what to say to that question. I don't think I have ever asked him a question like that before, so I wondered where he got it. Then I realized that I needed to answer his question. I am not even sure what I answered, i think it was something like an omelet. I then asked him what he would make and her replied, a salad with all of the foods in it. I wasn't as surprised by his answer as I was at the question. I thought that he was teaching himself better than maybe I could. I used think I was kinda good at it.

I know that these are the questions that I should be challenging my students with everyday. I don't need to ask the simple identifying questions with my 5th graders, and thanks to Barrett, I now realize that I should ask those same questions of my sons. I need to challenge kids to create, not regurgitate.

My sons are amazing and they continue to surprise me everyday. I hope to be able to show this post to Barrett in a few years to show him how deep his love of learning was at this age. I also hope that never goes away.