Build in a Gap
The world in which we currently live is quite reactionary. Every comment, every action, every tweet or video, seems to be require an immediate reaction. Everyone seems to be entitled to react and respond immediately to posts, comments, speeches and the like. Note how many speakers are interrupted by hecklers and protesters. See how many tweets and comments are posted seconds or minutes following an article or news event.
This culture is robbing us of a critical learning and social tool which is to PAUSE and THINK. As parents, we always teach our children to think before they act or talk, but society seems to value and accept those that are quick to react. We need to restore the life-long learning tool of rebuilding the gap between stimulus and the response. Students need to appreciate the value of contemplation before responding, considering before reacting, thinking before acting. We need to teach the value of the “pause for reflection,” to do some deeper thinking and making sure we understand fully before responding with our own opinions. As a society and as teachers, it would do us good if we can teach our students to stop, pause, and weigh all options—including seeking further clarification or not responding at all—before we flex our reactive muscles prematurely.
A few ideas to build into our classroom:
* after making a statement or stating an opinion, be sure to allow a minute of actual “reflection time” to make sure students fully hear and understand.
*ask students to write or paraphrase their understanding of what they think they heard.
*When a student wants to argue with another student’s opinion, make sure they can restate and demonstrate understanding of what the other student has opined before offering their own idea.
*practice by allowing students to hear or read a somewhat controversial or different opinion and train of thought, and have them share their full understanding of what was said.
*when having students debate or evaluate an opinion, ask students to actually support the idea contrary to their own.
By revitalizing the power of the gap before the response we can not only build stronger, more inquisitive and intellectual students, but perhaps a kinder, more empathetic society as well.
