Please Protect Her Curiosity

Photo courtesy of Leo Rivas on Unsplash .

In my July newsletter I shared how I got to fulfill a parenting dream this summer.

My daughter has had an ongoing inquiry about Ancient Egypt, so when we had an open afternoon in NYC, I jumped at the chance to take her to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And let me tell you- her curiosity ran wild: the wonder, the awe, and the questions-so many questions. For two hours we roamed only the Ancient Egypt wing, much of which was spent closely examining every sarcophagus.

For those that have been subscribers to my newsletter for a while, you may remember that one of my words for 2024 was curiosity. Getting to spend this magical afternoon as witness to my daughter's curiosity felt... right.

As educators, may we forever hold the curiosity of children with love and care. As educators, may we work to ensure that school protects this phenomenon and not diminishes it.

My daughter starts kindergarten this week. As a family we are a whirl of emotions. Our daughter is a confident, creative, silly, empathetic, imaginative, high-energy young person. And she is so curious about the world around her and the people in it.

And like so many parents before me, we are entrusting our daughter into the care of her teachers. 

To her future teachers. Please see her. Please know her. Please love her. Please protect her spark.

To the education system she is stepping into please continue the work of cultivating student centered classrooms. To the political discourse that fuels educational policy it is your job to protect my daughter's academic, social, emotional, and linguistic development during the school day. But not just my daughter; she carries with her many privileges. It is an education system's job to protect all students entrusted in your care; protect their curiosity, protect their identities, and protect their bodies from harm.

As educators, I understand it is easy to forget. But please remember the child that walks through your school's hallways and classroom's door, they are somebody's everything. They are somebody's past, present, and futures. 

​As educators, may we forever hold the curiosity of children with love and care. As educators, may we work to ensure that school protects this phenomenon and not diminishes it.

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