The Advent of Learning
In episode #250 of Sarah Mackenzie's Read-Aloud Revival Podcast she challenges the idea that we “cover” ideas or topics. She pulls it apart, questioning this approach; that we somehow cover over, or cover up a topic. She goes on to talk about uncovering a topic or idea instead. This got me thinking of advent. As we get ready to head into the holidays, we all look forward to our advent calendars. We gather around to see what piece of chocolate we each get or which ornament goes onto our Jesse tree. Shouldn't learning be like that? As the kids ask, “can we do our advent calendar?”... Don't we want them to ask, “Can we uncover some new learning now?” I imagine a puzzle board covering up yet another image underneath. With each puzzle piece removed in reverse fashion, a new picture is revealed. What is it? What does it look like? What does it remind you of? Everyone gets excited when a whole area is uncovered to reveal some identified aspect or character of the larger picture.
It begs the question: What happens when we cover material? What happens when we cover material within a specified period of time? Have you ever seen what happens when you hand out a coloring sheet and let the kids know that there are 5 minutes left in Sunday School? The kids will take a crayon and scribble the whole paper over. It is “covered” in a sense, but because they were made aware of the time constraint there was no regard for the quality of work, the enjoyment in the process or time to consider what might become of this so-called art piece. In fact, I suggest that this is worse than no coloring sheet at all. Honestly, we have wasted a perfectly good color sheet, used crayons up to no enjoyment and even taken time that could have been better spent remembering our daily verse or just connecting with the kids. The color sheet was checked of the list, the time used up and no one is any better off. Instead, everyone missed an opportunity for fellowship or deepening of the lesson already taught.
This idea, I believe, richly illustrates the crime of simply “covering” material while a timeline compels us toward completion.
Take the same coloring sheet at the beginning of the class. If given no agenda or timeline, the kids are likely to spend more time (as kids have not yet developed the notion that there exists an ominous ticking clock). The kids are likely to fill in more or all of the white spaces with intention and attention. Given time, they are likely to develop an idea of who they would like to give their new masterpiece to. With the recipient in mind, the art is often catered to the liking of the recipient. Hearts for mom, an added hand holding stick-figure for Grandma. The color sheet was not simply “covered”, it was entered into, embraced, explored and drawn out. The enjoyment is apparent and the time and care is evident. Each unique color sheet readily offering up information of indiviual characteristics and tendencies of the children.
So I ask, to what end do we aspire? A stack of scribbled worksheets representing the culmination of a “completed” school year? (Into the recycle bin they go without a second thought.) Or shall we strive to cultivate one carefully and intentionally crafted piece in which our kids proudly display their skills and hold space to address places of struggle? This requires time and space to be certain, but isn't it worth it in the end. Isn't this the point of parenting?
To cover or uncover?
And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure new things and old.” Matthew 13:52