Stories of Listening: Andrew (age 3)
Captured by Andrea Berdoz
Language of Perseverance
A conversation between a boy, a red plastic bottle, and the colorful bingo markers. An act of advocating for listening, recognizing, respecting, and supporting diverse languages and literacies.
The materials provoke and invite the child to interact with them. The child responds by moving his body and coming closer, his facial expressions communicating excitement and wonder.
The light table illuminates the bingo makers, making them brighter: “Get us, touch us, play with us.” The child understands that the other bingo markers are inside the red bottle and introduces more markers inside. The materials guide the child; he follows their lead.
Now, the child intervenes in the conversation. “I want the colorful markers back.” The red bottle continues to lead the conversation. “You need to figure it out.” The child shakes the bottle, and his facial expressions communicate motivation, initiative, effort, and frustration, as the bingo markers don't come out quickly. He pauses and observes the red bottle as if figuring out a way. He seems to say: “Let’s try something different.” He shakes the bottle again and notices some bingo markers coming out. He has figured out a way. He's leading the conversation. He serves, and the bottle returns: “You did it, boy!”
Language of Perseverance:
Causality, motivation, effort, overcoming obstacles, never stopping wondering, dedication, determination, not giving up, purpose.