Throughout our entire day, it is not the end result that matters but the responsibility and learning that is promoted in what, how, and why we participate in a specific task or activity. The final result (product) of an activity matters far less than what happened while reaching the final result- how a child managed their behavior, thought independently on how to complete their task or what order of steps they decided to take, and much, much more (process). Before diving deeper into this subject, we would like to give you some examples of varying forms of focusing on the process of things over the final product.
Process:
Cleaning up and sorting materials together
Teaching how to use materials (how to use glue, scissors, paint, markers, clay etc.)
Trying a new task
Respecting concentration and focus
Speaking to convey a message
Learning brush strokes, mixing colors
Product:
Having a spotless room as quickly as possible
Teaching what children need to create with materials/Requiring children to all make the same art project
Getting a task right
Forcing children to share
Using proper grammar
Drawing inside the lines
You see, for Childhood&Home nannies and families, we do not clean up as fast as possible just so we can be done with it and move on to our next activity. We clean up so our children can learn the importance of taking care of their things and themselves, learn respect for their environments and hold responsibility for their privileges. The process of taking the time to sort materials into baskets, sweep small pieces of paper from the floor or use towels to wipe off the table is much more important than if we were to quickly throw all materials into one giant bin in an “out of sight, out of mind” type of mindset. What is not important is if the room is spotless, what is important is that we took the time to work together to take care of our environment.
The same is to be said for different work the child is embarking on. The end result is not important, but the steps taken to get there. How children grow during the process of selecting their own mediums for an art creation, sitting down to intentionally create it from their own mind, how they manage their plan, what they do if their plan changes, and how they feel knowing they completed something entirely on their own is far more important than us trying to tell them exactly where to place their pre-cut circle to make a picture perfect snowman. As caregivers, we need to focus less on the ‘what’ and more on the ‘how’, something that is not necessarily taught in our current educational society. Next time you are with your children, we invite you to slow down, get intentional, and think about how you are partaking in the steps of whatever you are trying to get done.
Childhood&Home 