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Being an OWL

Being an OWL

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Being an OWL

One of the great joys of holiday time is catching up on the shows that you just don’t seem to have time to listen to or watch during the working week.

Thus it was that I managed to finally listen to the series on BBC Radio 4 called The Educators. In it, Sarah Montague interviews ‘the people whose ideas are challenging the future of education’, and where better to start than with Sir Ken Robinson. I’ve written before about Sir Ken’s video made at the TED lectures and how his humour and observations help make the point.

Sarah and Sir Ken visit the school he attended in Liverpool. It was from here that he was encouraged to take the 11+, so progressing to the Liverpool Collegiate. It is a very interesting half hour with Sir Ken in good form, using his anecdotes and stories to good effect, as ever.

Of these, one story jumped out at me. Sir Ken tells how his music teacher accused him of being ‘flat’ whilst singing (he comments that “I didn’t know what that meant, so I sang louder”). He went onto say how this one comment had stopped him singing for many years.

Wow!

One comment, all those years ago, still remembered vividly today, stopped that young boy singing.

It made me reflect on the things that we say to children, maybe the way that we phrase  a comment or question, and if we stop to think of the possible long term consequences. Similarly, how a few words of encouragement could raise a child’s confidence, to be remembered many years later.

During the busyness of the day it can be easy to make comments ‘off the cuff’. Which is why I really like the acronym OWL – Observe, Wait, Listen. It gives you a chance to think and reflect on children’s play and how you can best respond, support, encourage and challenge them. By taking that time to really try to understand what it is that is happening, you may get insights into the child’s view of the world. Your observations will be better informed and more detailed – always good if you want to go back and check something afterwards. Having the patience to wait before making responses or comments will mean that your words will be considered and appropriate.

And listening. Not just with your ears, but with your eyes as well. What is the body language telling you? The social group? The environment? The supporting adults?

Try being an OWL today and see what a difference it can make.

 

Kathy Brodie

Kathy Brodie

https://www.kathybrodie.com

Kathy Brodie is an author, Early Years Professional and Trainer specialising in online training and courses. She is the founder and host of the Early Years Summit and Early Years TV, weekly Professional Development for Early Years practitioners and educators.

Comments
  • user

    AUTHOR Cathy

    Posted on 9:05 pm April 18, 2020.
    Reply

    Love this description and I will definitely try being more of an OWL in the future.

  • user

    AUTHOR Kostana

    Posted on 10:05 am September 12, 2014.
    Reply

    Dear Kathy, thank you for sharing this with us…Unfortunately, in the practice OWL is what some of practitioners expect from children…we should actively listen to children more and give them time to respond…I have been OWL in the past and I will be in the future…Kind Regards Kostana

  • user

    AUTHOR Jane Greenlees

    Posted on 1:44 pm September 4, 2014.
    Reply

    very true Kathy – I shall endeavour to be more OWL-like!!!

    • user

      AUTHOR Kathy

      Posted on 2:14 pm September 4, 2014.
      Reply

      Hi Jane,
      Many thanks for your comment.
      Do let me know how you get on!

      Best regards

      Kathy

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