Teaching and Learning

I was just struck by how E and I often teach each other things - and yet we do it from our own perspective and understanding, and when the other learns this thing we think it is from our perspective, but it isn't always.  This came to me anew today when we were having a bathtime.  We have a bath puzzle of the Fimbles.  Each piece of the puzzle has an outline, and that outline matches the background of where the piece fits. (as shown in the pictures)

Today as I realised this I as struck by how E, with her appreciation for colour and her age most likely worked out how to do the puzzle based on the colours matching, whereas I have done it from an adult perspective of the size and shape of each piece.  We can both do it from memory now, but have had this puzzle for about 3 years and it is still one of her favourite bathtime toys.  Each character takes on a new name and so on, but at the end of the bath each has to be put in the right place and we still test each other on where each piece fits into and why.

This is an easy example for this, but it works for every age and every teacher/learner relationship.  We always learn from our own stance and viewpoint and think when others learn the same thing they also see same perspective to us, but especially in life lessons it is not like this.  However, this does not negate the learning achieved, it compliments both teacher and learner that  they have expanded their life experience and should encourage them in their learning and sharing of the knowledge they have.  And each adds to the foundation that they are learning from and so build upwards and outwards regardless

Conclusion: As the teacher we have a much to learn as those we are teaching.  There are many instances in our lives where we teach or learn and maybe we dont see it that way because the experience comes under a different guise.  I wish you all heaps of fun teaching and learning with your children regardless of their age. 
Peace
EF.x