Day 12 - The Magic pocket and the invisibility

Teaching young children is the most invigorating profession............... and managing their parents the most demanding one!

In my role, I get the privilege of meeting children from all classes and age groups. From the unreserved affection of three years, to the bright-lit-up pride of six years, to the shy smiles of eight years and the unreserved 'I will respect you if you are cool enough to demand it!' attitude of 11 years old children, I see it all everyday. I love meeting them, talking to them, teaching them and learning from them. Teaching and learning is a passion, a way of life for me.

On one of my rounds to a Kindergarten class, I talked to a group of children about their free drawings. One little one explained me her drawing in detail. It was a princess named Katelyn who was going shopping. I asked her "How would Katelyn go shopping?" The child promptly drew a boat next to her princess. "On a biiiig boat.". I persisted... "Where do you think Katelyn will get the money for shopping from?". I wanted to seize a teachable moment and tread in the lines of how shopping needs money and how we need to work for it, etc.
The little one had a knowing smile and pointed at what looked like a tiny, accidental speck to me. "From here."
The one big thing I have learnt in years of teaching is that one should never assume or interpret children's expressions unless invited. So I looked at the speck deep and hard and said , "Tell me more".
"This is a Magic Pocket. It is full of money. Katelyn just digs in when she needs money. It never gets empty."
The creativity fascinated me. The four year old had so much of the story woven in her drawing.
I dropped my idea of teaching and decided to learn instead. Not every answer at the age of four ... or perhaps even at the age of forty... needs to be set in practicality. Imagination needs to be fueled at all ages and all stages.

We all have our Magic Pockets, which may not give us money but we often dig deep into them for our happiness. Many small and some big pockets... we all have them. Sometimes you draw from them, sometimes you just pat them and feel content in their presence..........
My friends and family make my very deep pockets feel full at all times and it makes me happy.

I couldn't stay on for a longer conversation with this little one. The next morning, I met her mother and asked her if she had seen the picture. The mother hadn't. So I shared my experience with her. The mum asked if we taught children the value of money and where it came from. The concept of Magic Pocket was lost as she didn't even consider it and said that her daughter was fond of drawing and drew many many pictures all the time and that she was so busy that she hardly had time to see them.

I guess her Magic Pocket would remain invisible for the time being!