Exploring The World Through Children's Eyes: Xiu Wen's Instagram Page
Xiu Wen's page features her day-to-day experiences in the classroom and promotes respectful ways of interacting with children. We are so proud to see her advocating for little ones; it's a reminder that every little step we take makes a difference.
I’ve been asked before how I remain patient and gentle with young children. I feel that it’s because I can empathise with them and meet them at their levels. Back in SUSS, I attended a workshop by Dr Aletheia Lee on respectful caregiving. She involved us in an interesting activity, pairing us up and cueing one of the partners to use a tissue to wipe the other’s nose unannounced. Many were left shocked and even uncomfortable. We were put in the child’s perspective. This is what children experience when adults do things to them, instead of doing things with them.
It was an eye-opening session which prompted me to explore the child’s point of view and this is the basis of my ECE Instagram page (@little.rature). I hope to have more adults see the child’s perspective and build an understanding with young children. It started with a poem I wrote from the little ones’ POV, on why children seem to have “itchy hands”. Why are they always touching things they’re “not supposed” to? From the child’s lens, this world is big and new. Their curiosity drives their wandering hands. Is it so bad to want to learn about the world?
From there, I began making child POV videos. ECDA (@beanstalkecda) took notice of this page I have been growing and reposted one of my clips.
I have also been invited to collaborate with the agency for the #EmpowerTodayShapeTomorrow campaign.
I am grateful for the opportunities and platform to reach more people. It has been an exciting journey and my page is also where I reflect on my teaching as well as connect with others. Come and say hello sometime!
