Why We Need to Listen

In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, it can be really difficult to take time to allow our little ones to share what they are thinking. When you think of an elementary classroom, you know these children LOVE to share about their pets, their weekend adventures, the tooth they lost, their parents’ driving habits, and anything under the sun that doesn’t seem connected to the content we are supposed to be teaching. I admit, sometimes it is really hard for me to stop and address a raised hand because you never know if it is on topic. However, I think as adults it is just as important for us to upkeep the skill of listening as it is for us to teach our children to be better listeners. We all know that in our adulthood, we can also be better listeners to our loved ones at home.

In the school world, listening to elementary students is crucial for fostering a deeper understanding of their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. By doing so, educators can create a learning environment that values student input and encourages active participation. Research has shown that when students are given the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas, they are more likely to develop a sense of ownership and engagement in the learning process (Deci, 1992).

Elementary students are naturally curious about the world around them. By encouraging them to observe and explore their surroundings, educators can help students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Research has shown that hands-on, experiential learning experiences can be more effective than traditional teaching methods, such as worksheets and textbooks, in promoting deep understanding and retention of knowledge (Bransford, 2000). For example, a study by Katz (2013) found that outdoor learning experiences can improve student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement in science and mathematics.

Here are recent snippets of one of our inquiry circle discussions where I asked students to share what they recorded in their notebooks.:

A.D.: “The high school and middle school is nice. It looks like Mid-Pacific had a …The sprinklers are on and the sky is blue and manu o kūs are out. Manoa valley feels sad….palm trees sway, Hawaii is my home.”

L.R.: “There are so many birds, but they are the same kinds of birds. They are in the sprinklers, I think they are really having fun. They are also very still.”

M.D.: “One of the plants reminded me of the coral that kind of looks like brains. One of them even reminded me of jumping into a painting.”

O.G.: “I saw this beautiful palm tree and I thought it was cool to draw the way I draw it and it turns out it looks really cool.”

J.L.: “Sprinklers makes the grass beautiful..because water meets grass, means life.”

C.N.: “I found the ant colony… my prediction is they’re collecting food… I wonder why it didn’t look like they had soldier ants—maybe a new ant colony?”

Observations and recording thoughts into notebooks are one of our first steps, and the students are already starting to naturally make connections and predictions to understand what they are seeing. I really love hearing how they apply what they learned to what they are seeing and trying to figure out. We will continue to develop these ideas and theories about places and discuss the importance of understanding places and their values. Until then, let’s continue to listen to our children; there are many great ideas and thoughts to enjoy and ponder.