Clichés abound in education and parenting literature. One of the most often repeated is “children are sponges.” Eyes gleam and smiles fill faces as stories are related about the amazing ability a child has demonstrated to learn something new. Countless Facebook posts declaring pride for an achieving child have been written and shared. I, myself, have exuberantly declared a child a sponge; marveling at her amazing information download, as if it happened by osmosis. So, so, many times.
But lately, I’ve been thinking and I’ve begun looking at this metaphor through a different lens. Time and experience allow me this beautiful gift. They encourage me to press pause and think. And I’ve been thinking about expectations. A lot. And my thinking has led to some major reframing.
Full disclosure-I love, love, loved this metaphor. I beamed while marveling at a child’s ability to absorb information and make meaning. I’m not sure there is anything much better than a child making a connection between something learned in class and connecting it to something in her own life. It’s magical to witness authentic learning suddenly occur. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the greatest payoffs of being a parent and teacher.
In recent years, though, I’ve seen a shift. Small children are being asked to do so much more. Expected to absorb more. So, my mind goes back to the analogy, the time-tested truism: children are sponges. And I have to say, “Yeah, but…”
I know that learning happens and a child’s knowledge grows incrementally. Bit by bit. And my mind shifts back to the sponge. Literally the physical object sitting on my kitchen counter. I wonder how much can this sponge actually absorb before it reaches its saturation point, becomes blocked, unable to take in another drop? From experience, I know that it’s more than a spoonful and less than a gallon. I also know that over time, my little sponge will absorb far more than a gallon.
After much reflection, then, I suppose the analogy holds true. Children are sponges. Their ability to absorb so much information and develop so many skills is amazing. And we adults must provide the gift of time to allow them to grow bit by bit. Because that’s what they’re supposed to do. Learn and grow, little by little.
Kathie Z.