Personalities
Introvert? How in this world could my daughter be introverted... she's just shy! Ha!
A friend loaned me a book about how different personality types learn. What a treasure this has been! I've realized that I am a 'student of my students.' This year has been the year that I've looked more at them, their gifting, their challenges instead of at my bumbling inability as a teacher. What I've discovered is 4 very different people, with very different, very specific learning needs.
This semester, I've tried to tailor things more to each child. Next semester only gets better. Praise God for this revelation. Even my Dad said my kids are fortunate that I can teach to their strengths and interests. THAT (his compliment) is nothing short of amazing.
So my precious introvert now has some grace from her somewhat extroverted Mommy. America, as a society, values extroversion and desires that introverts either stay in the lab or come out of their shell. That fits with the ridiculous Hollywood mentality we have... extroverted + beautiful = popularity. I will be different with my girl... I will encourage her and allow her to emerge slowly. It isn't as if she is uninterested in others; just preferential to a few close relationships. May I have eyes that see the beauty in different than me.
A friend loaned me a book about how different personality types learn. What a treasure this has been! I've realized that I am a 'student of my students.' This year has been the year that I've looked more at them, their gifting, their challenges instead of at my bumbling inability as a teacher. What I've discovered is 4 very different people, with very different, very specific learning needs.
This semester, I've tried to tailor things more to each child. Next semester only gets better. Praise God for this revelation. Even my Dad said my kids are fortunate that I can teach to their strengths and interests. THAT (his compliment) is nothing short of amazing.
So my precious introvert now has some grace from her somewhat extroverted Mommy. America, as a society, values extroversion and desires that introverts either stay in the lab or come out of their shell. That fits with the ridiculous Hollywood mentality we have... extroverted + beautiful = popularity. I will be different with my girl... I will encourage her and allow her to emerge slowly. It isn't as if she is uninterested in others; just preferential to a few close relationships. May I have eyes that see the beauty in different than me.
Comments
I'm glad you aren't forcing her out of her shell. It will happen in time as she matures and finds her confidence.
Thanks for the reminder to study my children and know them well. Sometimes, with four children and two of them twins, I can fall into a rut of approaching them as a collective community, "my kids," rather than four individuals.
Your Mom is wise in what she said. I will take that statement to heart for myself and for my children.
Often, my four are lumped together collectively, too. I find I'm especially guilty of doing this with my two little guys. They are so very different. My husband and I are trying to have more one on one time with each of them and explore their uniqueness.
Thanks for commenting and making me look more carefully at myself.
Have a great day!
Laura
Great post, Laura! You are teaching us all so much!!