A few weeks ago, after an Easter candy sugar fueled meltdown, my six year old daughter learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. In about 20 minutes.
Here’s how it went down:
“Hey, let’s take off those training wheels and see what happens…”
“Really, mom? OK…”
I held onto the back of her back a couple of times and then just let go. She was off. A few weeks later, she’s zipping up and down our street like an old pro, a face full of wild exuberance. It’s good to be a kid.
Some thoughts from her experience:
She started at the beginning and went through the paces. A tricycle for a few years, then training wheels. (scaffolded learning support)
- She had my support and encouragement when we took off the wheels. I held the back of her back and quietly let go when I could tell she had balance on her side. (a gentle guide)
- She was motivated. Her older brother has been riding for awhile and she likes to keep up with him. (Note: he did not learn this whole bike riding thing nearly as quickly). (social learning)
- Plus, bike riding is really FUN. (intrinsic motivation)
- She was ready. (learner readiness)
What have you learned lately? And how did you learn it? How is her experience different from yours?
5 comments:
This is a wonderful analogy that I may share with our faculty. It gives a solid image and common experience with which they may relate. Thank you.
Great story, Cammy! Made me reflect on the confidence children have. So much less worry about failure and more concern with just succeeding (and having fun doing it). When does fear of failure kick in so strongly that as adults we sometimes keep the trianing wheels on and cling to our gentle guide a lot longer than is necessary? :)
Learning to ride a bike is always a great analogy for learning. No matter how much you read about it, or talk about it, you have to just do it. (Much like learning to drive a clutch!)
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