What keeps coming to me as I read this is remembering facial expressions as well as touch, etcetera. Actually, I think these may be equal to or greater than the words. Consider the encouraging "I can't wait to hear how you figured that out!" smile, the "OMG - I never thought of it that way" smile, the "of course we have time to wait while you get together your words" smile, the "you are unfailingly kind" smile, the "you are working SO hard" smile. We've seen those smiles, and tens of thousands of others. Smiles for kindness, smiles for pride, smiles for trying even while not completely getting there, smiles for what you already know, smiles for "you may not get it yet, but you will!" Smiles for fun, smiles for funny, smiles for pure joy, smiles just because I love you. Smiles because you amaze me.
Touches or signs for the same. And we've also seen the absence of same. Sadly, some children see only the former; some children see only the latter. No, heartbreakingly. Just about everything Johnston wrote in this book about words opening minds can be said about non-verbal messages as well. > I think that it is absolutely critical that we create this challenging and > safe environment. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive
