On Friday, I shared this video and the idea of a “beautiful oops” with the children.

We have been working on flexible thinking, perseverance and learning from our mistakes.  All of which can be incredibly challenging.  Each of these skills plays a vital role in helping these children reach their maximum potential.  Although this may appear to be a simple art project.  The concept will resonate throughout all subjects, and areas of these children’s lives.  For example, when completing a problem in math, having each of these skills will allow a child to work through multiple strategies (without frustration, or shutting down), and allow them to find the strategy that is most effective.  Without these skills, children may find something challenging in math and shut down, get angry, or get stuck on one strategy, even if that strategy takes them four times as long.  These skills are very challenging for some children, but it has also been amazing to see some of them take some leaps, and and allow themselves the freedom to think.  I am excited to watch this class continue to grow!

 

To demonstrate these skills, the children started with an “oops” and their challenge was to create something beautiful out of it.  It was fun to watch their wheels turn, and to see some of the creations that they made!