Outside the Comfort Zone

As I have mentioned before, my word for this year is YES. Recently I've been given opportunities to do things that I've not done before or that push be outside of what I think I do best. The thoughts of these things have made me feel uncomfortable, uneasy. My immediate reaction to these has been to say no, to run and hide, to withdraw.

It's not that I feel I cannot do these things. It's that they are new and I feel uneasy about them. I might not be good at them. I might fail. Or I might need to access areas that are not as developed. I feel uncomfortable about these situations.

Story Box

But is that a bad thing? Is moving outside the comfort zone to be avoided? Or approached with caution? I don't think so. (By the way, I did say YES to the above-mentioned opportunities. I'll let you know what happens.)

Sometimes I'm too comfortable. I do familiar activities in familiar ways. I know what my group of kids like and choose that. I look at what I have stored in my garage and choose from that.

Hammer Painting

When instead I could choose something unusual, something different, something that would push me and the kids to grow and adapt.

I have often said that we need to choose activities that match the interests and likes of our kids. And I do that. But I also think we need to push them a little. Find things that may not "match" exactly. Make them a little uncomfortable so they can try new things.

Dramatic Play: Gym

Now, I don't advocate going all wild and crazy, totally changing everything, bringing out odd things that kids have no connection to.

Stick puppet theater

But rearranging a few of the things once in a while can make things fresh. Or help kids make different connections. Putting away a familiar center and bringing out something new will immediately push kids to try new things or move to different areas.

A little discomfort can make new insights. A little push can lead to a leap in learning.


P.S. One of those "new" things is being a guest on a Twitter chat. On August 4, I will be the designated guest on #teacherfriends. They (We) meet Tuesdays, 9:00 PM EDT. I'd invite you to participate tomorrow night and every week.