Teaching a Toddler to Reason...

by jgnat 13 Replies latest social family

jgnat

I'm working on my "unbelieving mates" book today. I'm putting together the best ways to teach a child to reason from infancy to adulthood. I firmly believe that a child taught to reason can be permanently inoculated against pyramid schemes, con artists, bad dates, fear-mongering, false politician’s promises, quackery, and destructive religious extremism.
Reasoning ability is closely tied to language development. This is what I have written so far on how to teach a toddler to reason:
"Teach them nursery rhymes, silly poems, and songs. Read to them from picture books. Make friends with your local librarian, and get tips on age-appropriate reading. Make up stories, engage their imagination. Teach them to be creative with language. This helps them to move beyond passive listener to active engager. If they tell you that Jehovah has giant ears or that the family dog asked for a cookie, agree with him."
As I was researching this section, I stumbled upon a recommendation list of the "100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know". The books I know about are GREAT, each capturing an element of the human condition honestly, brightly, sharply.
http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended2.cfm?ListID=61
This list goes far beyond what I can include in my book, so I offer it here. Wouldn't literature like this be a delightful counterpoint to Watchtower literature littered about a home?
jgnat

Here's a shortlist:
ABUELA , Dorros, Arthur
ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY, Viorst, Judith
ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK , Eric A., Kimmel
ANDY AND THE LION , Daugherty, James
BARK, GEORGE , Feiffer, Jules
THE BOSSY GALLITO: A TRADITIONAL CUBAN FOLK TALE, Gonzalez, Lucia M., retold by; illustrated by Lulu Delacre
BREAD AND JAM FOR FRANCES, Hoban, Russell; illustrated by Lillian Hoban
BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?, Martin, Bill, Jr.; illustrated by Eric Carle
BRUNO MUNARI’S ABC, MUNARI, BRUNO
BUZ, Egielski, Richard
CAPS FOR SALE; A TALE OF A PEDDLER, SOME MONKEYS AND THEIR MONKEY BUSINESS, Slobodkina, Esphyr
THE CARROT SEED, Krauss, Ruth; illustrated by Crockett Johnson
A CHAIR FOR MY MOTHER, Williams, Vera B.
CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM, Martin, Bill, Jr. and John Archambault; illustrated by Lois Ehlert
CLICK, CLACK, MOO : COWS THAT TYPE / , Cronin, Doreen
COME ALONG, DAISY! , Simmons, Jane
CORDUROY, Freeman, Don
CURIOUS GEORGE, Rey, H. A.
DINOSAUR ROAR! , Stickland, Paul and Henrietta
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! , Willems, Mo
DUCK ON A BIKE , Shannon, David
FIRE TRUCK , Sís, Peter
FREIGHT TRAIN, Crews, Donald
FROGGY GETS DRESSED , London, Jonathan
THE GARDENER , Stewart, Sarah
GEORGE AND MARTHA, Marshall, James
GO AWAY, BIG GREEN MONSTER!, Emberley, Ed
GOIN’ SOMEPLACE SPECIAL , McKissack, Patricia
GOOD NIGHT, GORILLA, Rathmann, Peggy
GOODNIGHT MOON, Brown, Margaret W.; illustrated by Clement Hurd
GOSSIE, Olivier, Dunrea
GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, Say, Allen
HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON, Johnson, Crockett
HARRY THE DIRTY DOG, Zion, Gene; illustrated by Margaret Graham
HENRY HIKES TO FITCHBURG , Johnson, D. B. (Donald B.)
HORTON HATCHES THE EGG, Seuss, Dr.
HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOOD NIGHT? , Yolen, Jane
I KISSED THE BABY! , Murphy, Mary
IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE, Numeroff, Laura J.
IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE: A YIDDISH FOLKTALE, Zemach, Margot, retold and illustrated by
JOHN HENRY, Lester, Julius; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
JULIUS, Johnson, Angela; illustrated by Dav Pilkey
KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON , Henkes, Kevin
LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE , Kevin, Henkes
THE LINE-UP BOOK , Marisabina, Russo
THE LITTLE RED HEN: AN OLD STORY , Zemach., Margot
LON PO PO: A RED RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA , Young, Ed.
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE, Waber, Bernard
MABELA THE CLEVER , MacDonald , Margaret Read
MACHINES AT WORK , Barton, Byron
MADELINE, Bemelmans, Ludwig
MAISY GOES SWIMMING, Cousins, Lucy
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, McCloskey, Robert
MAMA CAT HAS THREE KITTENS , Fleming, Denise
THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS , Gerstein, Mordicai
MARTHA SPEAKS , Meddaugh, Susan
MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL, Burton, Virginia L.
MILLIONS OF CATS, Gág, Wanda
MISS NELSON IS MISSING!, Allard, Harry and James Marshall
MR. GUMPY'S OUTING, Birmingham, John
MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE, Steptoe, John, retold and illustrated by
MUNCHA! MUNCHA! MUNCHA! , Fleming, Candace
MY FRIEND RABBIT , Rohmann, Eric
THE NAPPING HOUSE, Wood, Audrey
NO, DAVID! , Shannon, DAVID
OFF TO SCHOOL, BABY DUCK! , Hest, Amy
OLD BLACK FLY, Aylesworth, Jim
OLIVIA, Falconer, Ian
OWEN, Henkes, Kevin
PAPA, PLEASE GET THE MOON FOR ME, Carle, Eric
PIERRE: A CAUTIONARY TALE, Sendak, Maurice
THE POLAR EXPRESS, Van Allsburg, Chris
PUSS IN BOOTS , Perrault, Charles
THE RANDOM HOUSE BOOK OF MOTHER GOOSE: A TREASURY OF 386 TIMELESS NURSERY RHYMES, Lobel, Arnold
ROUND TRIP, Jonas, Ann
RUMPELSTILTSKIN, Zelinsky, Paul O.
THE SNOWY DAY, Keats, Ezra Jack
SPOTS, FEATHERS AND CURLY TAILS , Tafuri, Nancy
THE STORY OF FERDINAND, Leaf, Munro
THE STRAY DOG , Marc, Simont
STREGA NONA, De Paola, Tomie
SWIMMY, Lionni, Leo
SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE, Steig, William
THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT, Potter, Beatrix
TAR BEACH , Ringgold, Faith
TEN, NINE, EIGHT, Bang, Molly
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY, Taback, Simms
THE THREE BEARS, Galdone, Paul
TRASHY TOWN , Zimmerman, Andrea Griffing
THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS BY A. WOLF, Scieszka, John
TUESDAY, Wiesner, David
UPTOWN, Bryan, Collier
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, Carle, Eric
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS, Zelinsky, Paul O., adapted and illustrated by
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, Sendak, Maurice
WHERE'S SPOT?, Hill, Eric
WHISTLE FOR WILLIE, Keats, Ezra Jack
THE WOLF’S CHICKEN STEW , Kasza, Keiko
YOKO, Wells, Rosemary
ZOMO THE RABBIT: A TRICKSTER TALE FROM WEST AFRICA, McDermott, Gerald, retold and illustrated by
Highlander

Hi Jgnat,
I Agree that even at the youngest of ages, reasoning can be taught. It's also the opportune time for j-dubs to do their most damaging mind control.
I recall a conversation I had with a j-dub about adopting. I expressed my desire to adopt a child. This person stated that she would only consider adoption if the child
were a baby, so that she could 'teach' this child the 'truth'. I couldn't help but think, that this person stated something painfully obvious to me. With exceptions ofcourse,
the only way for the j-dubs to gain a new member was by recruiting during a person most impressionable years(infancy)
limbogirl

Hi jgnat: thanks for the post -- I subscribe to exactly what you wrote and it's definitely paying off in my 3 1/2 year old. I want him to be the exact opposite of me as a child (a dub-child) so I encourage his curiosity, silly word games, goofy stories and play-acting. We read a lot and visit the bookstore and library frequently. The minute he expresses an interest in something (right now it's the solar system) I jump on the opportunity to look at pictures, books, etc on that topic -- I've been amazed as his retention. We have many of the books on the list you provided but I've also been reading books to him that are 5th or 6th grade level with few pictures. I started doing this when he was just under 2 years old -- after each chapter I ask a few questions and to my amazement he's always been able to answer correctly. (no, this isn't a hold over from dub days -- just wanted to see if he was listening and/or understanding certain parts of the plot) my other recommendation -- language lessons. he's been in a spanish class for the past six months and not only learning spanish but learning about other countries, culture and way of life. one other thing -- since about the age of 2 1/2 I encourage him to interact with people we encounter -- for example, he wanted a book about construction so he and I practiced how he would approach the librarian to ask the question. I stood back and he handled it (I had to interpret the toddler speak) and then he followed the librarian to the appropriate section and discussed which book he wanted. When I was child I was sheltered from any interaction with wordly people and I was terrified of them because of the way that they were portrayed to me from a young age. So, it's important to me that interact as much as possible and feel in control and validated. sorry for the long post!
AlanF

Excellent points, jgnat!
When my daughter was very small, up to about five years old, her mother and I would often read fairy tales and such to her, the usual kids books. But after awhile I'd get bored reading the same stuff over and over again, so I'd jazz it up a little. This gradually led to a kind of game, the kid got better and better at recognizing when nonsense was being spewed in her direction.
For example, sometimes I'd be reading along normally, and then without a break would jump to the end of the next sentence and begin reading backwards. It didn't take long for her to catch on to what I was doing, and we'd often start laughing so hard I couldn't keep reading. Sometimes I'd substitute some silly word like "hippo" in place of the correct one, or whatever came to mind. I guess I realized, in a way, that teaching her to recognize bullcrap when she sees it was a Good Thing.
Much later, after her JW mom and I broke up -- the mom got custody, of course -- Julie and I would often talk to her about things vaguely related to the JWs. While she often shut down the brain per her mom's instructions, something must have sunk in. When she reached 14, a lot of JW nonsense made no sense to her, and she ended up coming to live with us. After that I still challenged her from time to time by saying things that might at first sound ok, but after a little reflection were nonsensical. This was also a fun game.
Today my daughter is entering her senior year in college, double-majoring in biology and zoology, with a minor in math. She's an incisive thinker and brooks no bullshit from anyone. So I'm a firm believer that methods like you've talked about really do work.
AlanF
tall penguin

Nice post jgnat. I've read so many of those books listed. I work in the Kids section of a major bookstore here in Toronto. Fairy tales and picture books are a great way to introduce children to fantasy which lays the ground work for reasoning skills. I was always amazed in the org how rarely I saw parents read to their children, as in non-wts publications. It excites me everyday to see parents at the store reading to their kids.
I think kid's books are great for adults to read too. The simplicity of the language and the pictures can teach very profound lessons quickly. Since working at the store I've started my own collection of children's books and I share them with my adult friends. There are some basic lessons in these stories that I think many jw's missed out on as kids. Sad really.
From the list you linked to, here are some of my faves:
The Carrot Seed
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (all of the pigeon books are wonderful)
Goodnight Moon
The Very Hungry Caterpiller
Where the Wild Things Are

Some must-read titles that weren't on the list (for kids and adults alike):
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
Dougal the Garbage Dump Bear by Matt Dray
A Frog Thing by Eric Drachman
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

tall penguin
limbogirl

Tall Penguin- I'm glad I don't have your job or else I would soon be broke! My son and I have read several on your list -- however, The Little Engine That Could -- for some reason that book drives me batty. Probably because it's so repetitive -- on the other hand, my son went through a 4 week stretch of ONLY wanting to read that book so I just sucked it up and read it with as much enthusiasm as I could -- but I was happy when we moved on! I just found a beautiful Robert McCloskey compilation which includes Make Way for Ducklings, Lentil and Good Morning in Maine. I'm enjoying it as much as my son -- takes me back to when I was learning to read. (sorry jgnat, don't mean to hijack your post but I love children's literature!! (and not the jw inspired drivel))
tall penguin

"The Little Engine That Could -- for some reason that book drives me batty. Probably because it's so repetitive..."
Limbogirl, I hear ya. It's that repetition though that kids LOVE. That sing-songy kind of verse can be grating to parents but the kidlets love a good rhyme and rhythm.
tall penguin
jgnat

Boy, my thread did all OK while I was gone! I'll have to take off more often. Thanks for your quality contributions. If I ever finish my book, you'll find your tips in there for sure.
my other recommendation -- language lessons. ... -- since about the age of 2 1/2 I encourage him to interact with people we encounter -- .... When I was child I was sheltered from any interaction with wordly people and I was terrified of them because of the way that they were portrayed to me from a young age. So, it's important to me that interact as much as possible and feel in control and validated. sorry for the long post!
Limbogirl, your suggestions are so very good. I'm going to incorporate them. No reason we can't help the rest of the UBM communicate inoculate their children against cultic influence!
For example, sometimes I'd be reading along normally, and then without a break would jump to the end of the next sentence and begin reading backwards. It didn't take long for her to catch on to what I was doing, and we'd often start laughing so hard I couldn't keep reading. Sometimes I'd substitute some silly word like "hippo" in place of the correct one, or whatever came to mind. I guess I realized, in a way, that teaching her to recognize bullcrap when she sees it was a Good Thing.
AlanF, yours is a keeper too. Thanks!
Tall Penguin, amazing! Thanks for the extra book suggestions. I agree, messages can be powerful and profound through a picture book. For adults, too.
Limbogirl, maybe if you read the Little Engine that Could backwards, you might be able to revive your enthusiasm. Count yourself lucky. My children's favorite book was "The Diggingest Dog". Don't go looking for it on any "Best of.." lists, it's not.
freedomlover

Nice points here!

Teaching a Toddler to Reason...

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