WHY REFLECTION MATTERS
As the calendar advances, academic schedules and seasonal activities change. Children need to take time to transition. Reflection can be calming—so they can carry on and do what they need and want to do, such as adapting, relaxing, building skills, having fun, and exercising creativity!
Reflection can also contribute to preparedness and problem-solving if challenges arise, or if kids face obstacles, or stumble, or get derailed. It makes sense for kids to develop reflective habits of mind, which lead to coping mechanisms and strategies for moving forward.
Adults can teach children about all this, and the importance of reflection, including how it can help build confidence and proficiency.
MORE ABOUT REFLECTION
Reflection involves focus. It enables kids to explore, experiment, strengthen their capacities, and gain knowledge. In other words, to learn. To reason, question, and develop ideas. To anticipate and adapt.
Perhaps most significantly, and as the world constantly shifts around them, reflection helps kids understand change. For example, how to be openminded about opportunities, uncertainties, supportive measures, and connectivity with others.
Reflection is key for decision-making, too. And, for assessing the realities of everyday life. This includes thinking about actions and words. In short, reflection fortifies ways of engaging and interacting.
Some kids enjoy collaborative brainstorming activities, some like independent or silent reflection, others think best while listening to music, going on nature walks, or visualizing (as characters sometimes do in storybook “thought bubbles”). Everyone differs so there’s no singular approach to being reflective!
HOW TO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO BECOME REFLECTIVE
There are several ways to encourage kids to develop reflective habits of mind. Here are four suggestions:
- Consider aspirations and emotions. Help kids become attuned to their hopes, and dreams, and feelings—to ponder what makes them excited, happy, disappointed, annoyed, or concerned. This can lead to greater self-awareness. Respect and honor the validity of their feelings, and be available as necessary to assist.
- Communicate. Chat with kids about their attempts to be reflective. If they choose to share their thoughts, that’s great. If not, that’s okay, too. Let their questions, comfort level, and what matters to them fuel and give substance to conversations.
- Don’t underestimate children’s capabilities. Welcome their ideas, beliefs, and interests. Help them learn to connect new information to what they already know. Any time is a good time to seize possibilities, and to reflect upon them.
- Provide time and space for thinking. Sometimes kids like to be alone or stay still to reflect. It may appear they’re doing nothing but they’re actually thinking—perhaps gaining perspective about encounters, experiences, or adventures they’ve had or want to have. Thinking can foster meaningful understandings.
LAST WORDS
“I think therefore I am.”
~ René Descartes
Reflection may take many forms, such as reviewing, recollecting, analysing, weighing alternatives, being mindful, journaling, meditating, or just letting ideas flow. These contemplative processes can facilitate learning, responding, and creating, and contribute to children’s intelligence, achievements, and well-being. And THAT is certainly something that merits reflection!
AUTHOR’S NOTE (AND NEWS!)
Reflection is a core element in GRUMBLESOME, my new rhyming children’s picture book! Follow along as a young boy’s thoughts help him to resolve his feelings and figure out a creative solution to a thorny problem. GRUMBLESOME is illustrated by the incomparable Brandon Dorman. Publication September 2026; preorders available across retail outlets, including Amazon.com. (GRUMBLESOME received a Kirkus Reviews starred review!) Find out more at https://joannefoster.ca.
