Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Trying Something New



“It’s pretty easy to know what you’re doing when you’re doing something that you’ve done before”

When I’m teaching my students a new skill or concept, most of them have never heard or tried this before. That is why it is so important to connect it to something that they already know. This connection can help them make learning the new skill a little more comfortable. It won’t make it easier but just a little more comfortable.

I know when the student struggles with this new learning they may complain about how hard it is. I know exactly how they feel. Whenever I struggle with something new, the more I struggle, the harder it seems.

Sure, it would be easier to do the things that they already know but if you only do the things you know and don’t learn anything new, what a small world we would live in!

Even for teachers who are in a new career or a new school or even in a new grade struggle with the newness. Yes, it is hard. It will have ups and downs. But how proud you will feel when you start to feel comfortable with what you are doing. Suddenly it won’t be “new” anymore and you will know what to expect.

The more new things you try and learn, the larger your world becomes. You may meet new people because of your new skills. You may have more opportunities because of your new skills. You may even enjoy yourself and your surroundings more once you become comfortable and things become easier.

When things are comfortable and easy, it is good to enjoy that feeling but don’t get caught in a rut. Once you give yourself a rest, it is important to start looking for something new to learn. It is time to start growing again.

Take a risk. Learn something new!

What is something new that you learned recently? Please share.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

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