Children created the Eiffel Tower using different sticks, from coffee stirrers to craft sticks (popsicle sticks) to ‘build’ a replica of the structure.
Tommy carefully criss-crossed his sticks. He was focused, determined.
I’m always understanding and support children’s hard work, but I was challenged here. Throughout the process, as Tommy was carefully building, I kept showing him the picture of the Eiffel Tower that was right there.
Tommy, can you tell me about your Eiffel Tower?
We looked at the picture again. Together. He was annoyed. I just didn’t get it.
Jennie, don’t you see? It’s right there!
Tommy was right. All those criss-crosses were right there. That’s what he built.
Never underestimate the brilliant, creative minds of children. They see what we miss.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Oh, how delightful an artist in the making if you can’t comprehend the vastness of the whole you focus on a detail. Lovely Jennie. You are so supportive of your little ‘characters.’
Well said, Sandy. He certainly focused on detail, and I certainly learned to trust creativity.
Thank you!
It’s truly amazing how kids see the world with fresh eyes and boundless imagination.
Today, my son said to me, “Mom…, look! ….It’s a spaceship….,” while holding a fortune cookie in his hand. 😃
Loved reading this, Jennie😊
It is definitely amazing! You must have smiled at your son’s spaceship.🙂 Thank you, and I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Oh, so very true!
Yes!
That’s really neat how he saw all the crisscross work and used the tools at hand to create what he sees. The Eiffel Tower!
Your image of it is lovely.
Yes! He was so proud. Thank you, Deborah.
A Picasso to be!
I think so. 🙂
So much is perspective because we don’t know theirs. Yet, in the end, his made me smile.
Yes, you’re right, Frank. His made me smile, too.
Yes, you’re right, Frank. His made me smile, too.
Tommy is a master artist, and just needed to explain his work, so we, the adults could understand it
Exactly!
Spot on, Jennie. And it’ll be the same all through his life. He’ll see things differently, we all do. The Mrs and I see things a lot differently, but I digress. But, seriously, think how boring art (life) would be if we all saw it the same. We it reminds me of the time I asked the crossing students which direction we were walking, thinking E-W-N-S, and one young girl answered , ‘forward’. Tell Tommy that I loved his Tower.
‘Forward’….wow! Wouldn’t you love to meet her now! Tommy still hasn’t stopped talking about Curiosity, the NASA robot on Mars. We both know art and math and engineering are all under the same umbrella. He’ll be there one day. We all see things differently (the Mr and I are a prime example), thank goodness. Thank you, Steve!
It’s amazing how kids think! You just have to love them and their perception. If only we could all see the world through the eyes of a child.
Yes, yes, yes!!!
I love this! Imagination at an early ag – bravo!
Yes, indeed! He still talks about Curiosity, the NASA robot on Mars. Imagination is everything, especially for a child. Thank you, John!
Well done, Tommy. He saw the most important bit, the cross-beams that strengthen the whole structure. He might well be an engineer when he is older.
Best wishes, Pete.
I think you might be right on becoming an engineer, Pete. He is still talking about Curiosity, the NASA robot on Mars. Here’s to creativity, thinking outside of the box, AND having a chance to express that. Yes, well done, Tommy!
I love this! I’d say Tommy went for the essence of the Eiffel Tower, rather than a copy of it.
Yes, he did! Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
The honest innocence of a child’s perspective.
It’s a wonderful thing.
We’ve all seen pictures of the Eiffel Tower so many times that we don’t notice the details. A child looking at something for the first time sees what we don’t.
Well said! The eyes and mind of a child are unfiltered and creative.
Good for him and thanks to you for sharing, Jennie
Yes indeed, and you are welcome, John
😊
brilliant!
I felt the same way!
Another great hands-on art lesson. Very cool to include famous landmarks and your previous renditions of paintings like Starry Night.
Thank you, Pete! Today is the big day when I introduce them to famous works of art. I love it, because I never know where it will go. Some years they take to one or two, other years nothing. One year a child ‘shushed’ everyone to be quiet so he could paint ‘The Scream’. 🙂
Proving once again that there can be many different viewpoints.
Exactly!
They always know what they’re doing, don’t they?
Yes, they do! 🙂
That’s so good, Jennie. Right – they see so much!
Indeed they do!
He focused a section of the Eiffel tower. Great lesson in this story you share. Thank you for sharing. We all see things and focus on different things even though the picture is the same.
That’s exactly what he did. Yes, we all see things differently – that’s what makes the world go around.
Yes it is. And it is wonderful
That’s really wonderful. You only have to get them the chance, also to explain. Adults are always too determined getting the solutions they want. There often is too less creativity for inventions. Best wishes, Michael
Yes! If adults would just open up their minds a little, right? There are many pathways to a solution, and some are far more creative than others. Best to you, Michael.
if only we could see through the beyes of a child 💜💜
Yes!!
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He cut through the hype to its essence, representing what he saw.
He really did! Thanks, Norah.
I like this kid’s approach. Focus on one detail, do it well.
I like his approach, too. Thanks, Ally.
I wish we all could see the world like kids do, with so much purity and kindness. I miss that part of me sometimes.❤️
Hear, hear!