Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Socratic Method


I had to post this today because I just thought it was so awesome.  So today we are getting a double scoop. :)

So my little 5 year old Ann Marie is incredibly bright. I have known she was bright from a very early age. I don't mean she is just able to memorize things easily. I mean she is able to put things together in her mind very quickly. I mean she taught herself how to read after I taught her the letter and sounds kind of bright. Now she reads chapter books. She has a very logical mind with an above average dose of common sense. This makes her a challenge to parent because she is just too smart to fall for many parenting techniques.

I remember once she was being naughty when she was about 18 months to 2 years old.  I told her to do something several times and she wasn't doing it.  I told her again more frustratedly and she turned to me and yelled "NO!" That was it for me.  No kid of mine was going to scream at me like that.  My face changed to that "oh no just didn't look," you know that Mad Mama look that we can get to let kids know they have crossed the line.  I do a good one and boy it came out right then. Suddenly, Annie's expression changed from one of defiance to one of calculating caution.  Then she put her hands both up in front of her, palms facing me and said in her little tiny girl voice "Mama, take a deep bweth." Of course I burst out laughing at this. 

Anyway, so today Annie and Lauren were arguing or debating about the emblem on Lauren's bathing suit.  You can see it in the picture above.  Lauren was calling it a sun and Ann was trying to correct her and let her know it was a flower.

So the dialogue goes thusly:
Annie: It is a flower
Lauren: NO It is a sun!
Annie: No Lauren it is a flower.
Lauren: NO IT IS A SUN!
Annie: Lauren, do suns have leaves?
Lauren: No.
Annie: See these green things on your suit? What are they? See they are leaves. 
Lauren: silent and looking at the leaves.
Annie: So it is a flower because flowers have leaves.
Lauren: ... thinking ... NO ... IT IS A SUN!
Mama: Maybe it is a sunflower.  
Lauren: Yes it is a SUN flower.

Okay what I LOVE about this is that my five year old just used a law school teaching technique called the Socratic method. It is a method of teaching by asking questions to help people realize your point by themselves. I just think that is awesome.  My little loving Ann Marie is AWESOME!


21 comments:

Jori said...

My goodness kids are clever these days! :)

Stephanie said...

I am speechless. Little wonders.

Shanan said...

that is way too cute! Love it!

Anonymous said...

I substituted for Annie's primary class once and thought she was the sweetest child. Every time I see her I just want to squeeze her. Don't worry I don't want to scare her to death, so I will let you hug her for me. All your girls are just so precious.

Love,
Amy Pendleton

Anonymous said...

We don't know each other, however we are in the same ward. I have thought of you every day, and have felt anquish over what you have experienced in the past few weeks. I look forward to your daily words of inspiration for they have helped sustain me in my own comparatively simple battles. I know that I am only one of the thousands of comments you have received, but please know you have made a difference in my life. Camille has made a difference in my life. She had a very important mission in this life - you are very blessed to have such a perfect spirit to call your daughter. Thank you for being able to transfer your strength,and your faith to so many - my life will forever be changed.

i said...

Annie makes me laugh! I love to see thoughts whirling around in her cute little head.

MaryClaire Brown said...

no doubt that little one keeps you on your toes. i'm pretty sure she keeps you entertained all day too.

Marleen said...

I'm am continually amazed by that little woman. I only wish things came to me as easily as they do with her. Super smart. I also love the super smart mama comment that helped end the feud.

Carolyn said...

Annie, thank you for being so brilliantly smart! I have a lot to learn from you... a lot!

I love the last picture with Annie's ever so popular "love gritting teeth" she does. She loves to love.

Anonymous said...

Diplomatic and cute as a button to boot.

Annie is a very special lassie.

Anonymous said...

Thank for sharing your sweet testimony at such a difficult time in your life. My daughter showed me your blog today and told me how much it touched her. She has a deeper appreciation for her two wild little boys who keep her exhausted most of the time and what a blessing they are in her and my son-in-law's lives. May you & your family continue to enjoy the comfort of our Savior and Heavenly Father.

Anderson Family said...

We miss little Ann Marie. One of my favorite primary memories of her is when we were telling a story about pioneers and showing a picture. She looked very confused during the entire story and then at the end of the story she asked while looking at the picture, where are all the pineapples? I guess she thought we kept saying pineapples instead of pioneers. She was so funny and yes, I think the smartest one in our primary class. One Sunday we had to teach them the plan of salvation and it was very difficult for me to do this, I didn't think that Sunbeams would understand this, but Ann Marie repeated the entire plan of salvation to me at the end of the lesson, I was very impressed.
~Nicole

Mindy said...

I don't know you from Eve, but you are such an inspiration to me! I found you through a friend's blog, who found you through her friend's blog... you are blessing other lives through your sharing your experience. You are an example of strength, faith, and motherhood. Your daughters are so blessed to be taught at your feet.

Six-Pack Momma said...

She obviously gets it from her mother! ;) I do not know you personally, but rhough your writing, I have been captivated the past couple days. I can tell by your thoughts and your feelings expressed here, that you are an amazing mom to your little girls. Although I'm sure you feel like the lucky one- how lucky little Camille was to be sent to your loving home. And how neat that we have the knowledge that you are not finished being her mommy. My good friends lost their 12 year old son just three months ago. It has been a struggle, even for us as friends to grasp. But reading your words gives me comfort. It helps me understand just a little better what they have felt. Thank you so much for your ispriation. Hang in there, and know that you are in my prayers. I hope my prayers and tears for you lighten your load, if even just a bit. My heart goes out to you.

Sincerely,
Christie

Hoskins Family said...

I adore Annie's quick wit and spunk. She has two wonderful parents to funnel all that knowledge and energy for good.

Beth said...

Heh heh...SUNflower-never saw that coming...
:-)
My 4yo sounds a lot like your Annie-he definately outthinks his momma most days, lol. Such a precious story!

Rach said...

She sounds an awful lot like Hannah. How wonderful! She must be a delight and terrifying...I know Han terrified me. I KNEW she was smarter than me and dreaded the day she figured it out. LOL!

Chelsea said...

how smart! When we read to your girls, you can tell she is a smart one! What a great story!!!

Team Shelton said...

One of my favorite memories of Ann Marie was during sharing time one week, she was sitting there having a detailed conversation between her two "puppet hands." She couldn't tell I was looking at her because I was sitting behind the podium. Each hand was held up by her face and the "puppets" were talking to each other. Then the "puppets" started fighting (or what looked like fighting to me.) All of the sudden one "puppet" reached over and ate the other "puppet." Ann Marie just smiled and folded her arms. I was dying laughing.

Anonymous said...

I love that you find joy in your other children and they see it. It is so very important for them. I lost a sibling at a young age. As well as my mother handled it, a part of her withdrew from her other children. I am much older now and still seek for love and affection that was missed. Your girls are so beautiful and smart. They must have learned it somewhere. :0) Keep it up. They know.

Emily Sherinian said...

Love that story! Lauren reminds me of Julia SO much every time I see her cute little picture! Little soulmates on opposite sides of the country!