Lesson Learned

We had our usual arts and craft group yesterday at the senior care facility (doesn't that sound better than Nursing Home) where I volunteer.  Our project was to create crushed paper art pieces.  It was a learning experience, especially for me.

Although I've created a number of these in the past and brought some of these pieces as examples, the actual "How To" was not as obvious as I imagined.  In my ignorance, I simply directed the residents to crush up the paper I provided and glue it to squares of cardboard.  The residents struggled.  Finally, I demonstrated.  Ah!  So that's how it's done.

Truthfully, I should have known better.  I'm a person who learns best by being shown.  Written or verbal instructions never quite sink in the way a demonstration does.  So here's what I learned.

Take the time to demonstrate each week at the beginning of each session.  Don't assume that because the process seems evident to me that it will be evident to everyone else.  And even after a demonstration, watch and guide without being intrusive on people's individual creative processes.

Also, while we in the midst of creating, it was evident that one of the participants was not as engaged as the rest.  It was then I noticed that she was having a hard time reaching supplies that were placed at the table where she was working.  Once supplies were moved to within easy reach she engaged. 

There's always something to learn.  Hopefully, I will keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to what the residents have to teach me and make our mutual learning an enjoyable time together.