Ohkei

There is something powerful about picture talk.

Give a group of children the same photograph, and you’ll hear different observations, different interpretations, and different questions emerge.
But what is equally powerful is this:
the same photograph, paired with different types of questions, can lead the conversation in entirely different directions.

“What’s happening in this picture?”
invites observation.
“How do you think the people are feeling?”
invites empathy.
“What might they need right now?”
invites perspective-taking and problem-solving.
As educators, we often focus on finding meaningful materials for discussion. Yet sometimes, the richness of the conversation lies not in the photograph itself, but in the questions we choose to ask. This is also why we are always asked to put guiding questions in our planners.

As I was preparing for the recent upload of our Weekly News, I intentionally searched for more photos of the event because I really want to share how powerful picture talk can be. At least in my classroom. Through thoughtful questioning, they can begin to consider the people behind the headlines. Especially when we facilitate the discussion to the homes lost in natural disasters, the challenges faced, and how people rebuild their lives again.

The same photo.
Different questions.
Different thinking.
That’s the power of picture talk.

Last week, we explored about the volcano eruption that happened in Indonesia. This week, we look into the earthquake that happened in Philippines.

Natural disasters is a common current issues topic. But above the surface level of discussing what happened, how can we educators go in depth?

Personally, I always get my class to think in perspective. What if you are the one experiencing it? And in times like this, what would you lose? What would you need? I remember a child saying the home is destroyed. And we continue discussing about how it can be rebuilt, but with money (and some money that’s inside the house, could be lost too). What if the wallet and phone are all lost/broken? How can we buy food and water for the next few days? Where can we stay? And clothes! Where can they get clothes for these few days?

The thing is if we are lucky, we might not experience it in our lifetime. But there are people out there, living through this. And it is important, we let the children know.

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✨ Little Minds, Big News
A weekly current issues resource for your classroom

Each week, I’ll break down an article into something you can actually use with children:
– A summarised article
– Guided discussion prompts
– Appendix
– Activity sheet

Comment “I want” and I will send this to you for FREE!

The flowers were the same.
The possibilities were shared.
Yet every bundle looked completely different.

To create is innate for us human. And I think choice is such a powerful thing. For children and for adults.

As educators, we often talk about giving children voice and choice in their learning. Experiences like this remind me why. Whether you’re five or fifty, there’s a different kind of joy in creating instead of simply receiving. And maybe that’s what makes flower bar / market so memorable for all.

So, I’ve gotten this done!

I’ve been using printed and laminated notes and coins in the classroom. They worked but something felt off. Especially with coins that were too thin to be picked up. I ended up pasting on cardboard and cutting it again.

It’s nice to have something that felt more authentic in the children’s hands. At first I thought I had the best idea, went on to make it and then decide to scrape it entirely (leave this story for next time).

But yes, here comes our Pocket Money Playset! Now with 3 different bundles depending on your needs and budget! I do recommend getting the essential set for your classroom! Now super worth with our launch price!

DM me to order 😉

Every Sunday, I gave my little niece a notebook to doodle in during church. Honestly, I was just trying to keep her busy and use up some of the many notebooks sitting around my house 😅

Then I noticed something.
She was drawing a person.
And the person had fingers!

That’s no big deal. But just a few Sundays ago, her “people” looked completely different! Just so I can confirm that myself, I quickly flipped through the notebook.

I saw scribbles. I saw potato-shaped people. I saw stick arms. I saw figure in dress.
And now, suddenly, her “people” grew fleshy arms with blunt fingers!

We often talk about children’s development, read about milestones and observe learning outcomes. Every now and then, we also get to see growth unfold in the children in our classroom and/or families.

It’s great to witness it. It’s better to have them in record...this time, not in a report, not in an assessment...BUT IN THE PAGES OF A NOTEBOOK!

What started as a way to clear some unused notebooks turned into something much more meaningful! A record of a child’s creativity and growth.

So if you have an unused notebook lying around, consider passing it to a child. Years from now, those pages may become one of the most precious records of their childhood.

“I want to work at McDonald’s.”
But somewhere along the way, those answers start to change. Not because children stop dreaming but because they start learning what is valued and what is not.

I once had this conversation with a driver in Taiwan. He shared how jobs like hairdressers and chefs are regarded highly, addressed as shifu (a master of a craft) and/or laoshi (a teacher). There is pride in the work and respect for the role. And he was genuinely puzzled when I described how things are in Singapore. “Why?” he asked.
And it made me wonder…
How did we get here?
How did some jobs become dreams while others became “last resorts”?
Why do so many grow up choosing paths they may not love
but feel they should take?
Is success something we defined or something we inherited?
And as educators, parents, adults, what are we quietly teaching children about what is worth becoming?

Well, there are other aspects to consider (stability, practicality, being realistic)…but perhaps we can widen the space for dignity in all work and not shrink a child’s dream
too quickly.

What did you want to be when you were younger…and what changed?

We are fortunate to live in Singapore where we rarely experience major natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or hurricanes. But because these events are not part of our daily lives, many children grow up without seeing, learning about, or understanding what they are like, how people and lives are impacted and how they face them!

One reason we explore current issues with children is to help them develop an awareness of the bigger world out there. And not just about knowing what happened, they are opportunities to build global awareness, critical thinking, empathy and appreciation for the many ways people live and respond to the world around them.

This week’s article explores the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia. Children can learn how people in different countries face challenges, adapt to their environments, and work together to stay safe.

—-

✨ Little Minds, Big News
A weekly current issues resource for your classroom

Each week, I’ll break down an article into something you can actually use with children:
– A summarised article
– Guided discussion prompts
Appendix
– Activity sheet

Comment “I want” and I will send this to you for FREE!