The Gift of White Space

In the midst of this holiday season full of special programs, parties, concerts, “must do” holiday events, crafts and other activities, a concept I read about and discussed back in 2009 comes to mind.

Particularly during this hectic time of year, I often wonder as a working parent if I am doing the right things for my children. I have come to realize that it is a dilemma of all of us, whether we work or not. My children are lucky to have many opportunities, both in school and outside of school, to take part in a variety of activities - and of course, we want our children to have the advantages of a multitude of experiences. However, in “Great Expectations” by Johann Christoph Arnold (part of the book Endangered: Your Child in a Hostile World), we are reminded that there is an important part of childhood that involves just in being a child without any time restraints and structure. He applies this idea to the beautiful concept of "white space."

Visual artists are familiar with the concept of white space, the unmarked portion of a page. To an artist, white space isn't considered blank space. Instead, it's an important element of design which enables the very existence of the objects - the key to aesthetic composition. 

This popular optical illusion demonstrates the integral role
of white space in a design.

Arnold compares this artistic idea to the white space we all need in our lives,

            “As an author I became aware, after completing my first book, of something I had never noticed previously: the importance of white space. White space is the room between the lines of type, the margins, the extra space at the beginning of a chapter, a page left blank at the beginning of the book. It allows the type to “breathe” and gives the eye a place to rest. White space is not something you’re conscious of when you read a book. It is what isn't there.

            Just as books require white space, so do children. That is, they need room to grow. The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu reminds us that “it is not the clay the potter throws that gives the jar its usefulness, but the space within.” Our tendency to overbook children, emotionally and time-wise, robs them of the space and flexibility they need to develop at their own pace. They need stimulation and guidance, but they also need time to themselves. Hours spent alone in daydreams or quiet, unstructured activities instill a sense of security and independence and provide a necessary lull in the rhythm of the day.”

We all, adults and children alike, need that time that keeps us replenished for our busy lives and the space to enrich our lives in ways we haven't even imagined. As I wrote in my original blog about this concept, I did not understand the true importance of this gift as a child when my mother told me to choose only one after-school activity, but it is a lesson I'm now grateful for.

No matter what your plans are this holiday season, I hope each of you takes the time to enjoy following your child, perhaps just sitting together for a few minutes, playing with their toys, or sharing stories about your childhood traditions. Give your child (and yourself) the gift of white space this holiday season. 

Interactive Learning Tools Offer Opportunity for Rich Dialogue with Children

As one of our preschool teachers compiles portfolios of her students’ work on tiny flash drives, our 9-12 students research forms of government online, our teachers respond to emails from parents, and I type this blog, it’s clear that technology has become interwoven in our daily routine at Wilmington Montessori School. The world is “going digital” – or, arguably, has already “gone” – and while our staff and parents may remember a time when this wasn’t the case, our children will not.

It’s strange to think that objects we grew up with – the calculator, rotary phone and floppy disk, to name a few – are on their way to becoming artifacts like the abacus and quill pen. What other objects will become obsolete in our lifetimes and in the lifetimes of our children?

A German digital creative agency has utilized the new interactive capabilities of YouTube to share their answers to some of these questions in their Museum of Obsolete Objects.

The well-designed online museum allows viewers to take a nostalgic trip back in time. Yes, some of the creators’ conclusions are debatable – The fax machine became obsolete in 1999? The radio transmitter in 2004? – but that’s part of what makes this quirky site so intriguing. The Museum of Obsolete Objects serves as an amazing conversation starter, particularly between members of different generations. A discussion with your children or students could include the following:

• Which of the objects does your child remember? How about you?
• Do you agree that these objects are indeed obsolete?
• Which new innovations made each of these objects obsolete?
• What do you notice about the pace at which objects are becoming obsolete?
• Discuss some current objects and when you believe they might become obsolete or what type of technology could eventually replace them.
• If you have any of these obsolete objects available, allow children to interact with them and compare them with their newer replacements.

Interactive learning tools like this one provide an opportunity for rich dialogue between people of all ages. Want to check out some other virtual museums? Here’s a list of a few, courtesy of Teacher Tap (a free professional development resource that helps educators address common questions about the use of technology in teaching and learning). For a different outlook on the obsolete, here’s a list of obsolete skills.

What websites do you enjoy sharing and discussing with your children? Please share them in the comments!