Keeping Curiosity Alive!

I finished reading one of Piaget's book on the development of the child. I find it interesting that the longer ago that I read a book, the more distinct the lessons I learned seem to become. It is like the excess kind of washes away from the core messages.

This book on childhood beautifully captured the fruits of keeping the curiosity alive in children.  One truth I was reminded of in this book is that if a child is curious, they learn better. If our youth are curious they learn better.  In fact, I would submit the flip of that statement as fact: if a youth is not curious, they will not learn well...if at all.  We talk about inspiring, but sometimes that feels different, more something the teacher feels they have control over.  Maybe we should also talk about creating an environment where curiosity can flourish?  Curiosity + the Spirit = Awesomeness.

What are we doing in our classroom settings to keep the curiosity alive?

One curious thing about curiosity is that it has to come from the individual. It is not something that a mentor can give.  We can only awaken it or not squelch it.

Please comment below on ways that you have found both awaken curiosity and squelch it and give examples where appropriate.  It is important to look at both how and how not to to round our a complete picture of how we can improve.  Let us learn from each other!

The Heart Behind Effective Teaching

I found a beautiful article that captures the heart of an effective teacher or mentor.  It is well worth the perusal: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2017/07/a-teacher-who-helps-save-souls?lang=eng  It is the heart of Christ-centered teaching.  Not because we teach of Christ but because we teach like Christ.

If we want to teach like Him, it’s essential to understand whyHe taught. Ultimately, that “why” will make all the difference for us and for those we teach.

When the Savior taught, His purpose wasn’t to fill time or to entertain or to unload a bunch of information. Everything He does—including teaching—is meant to lead others to His Father. The Savior’s whole desire and mission is to save Heavenly Father’s children (see 2 Nephi 26:24). In our quest to teach as He did, we can learn to be motivated by the same purpose that motivated Him.

In other words, to teach in the Savior’s way is to be a teacher whose purpose is to help save souls.

What is our purpose when we mentor in our Vanguard classes?  Is it to entertain?  To unload a bunch of information?  Or is it to help these youth capture a vision of who they are and what they can become?  Is it to awaken a sense of curiosity, a passion of learning for the sake of changing themselves and the world, awaken as desire to give our lives selflessly...to become service-oriented leaders?

As we look at the principle for the month, we should be thinking about the "why" that we are teaching that principle.  If we don't believe in it and teach toward that end, we are just filling time.