What if they just aren’t interested?

Working with and responding to toddlers and twos.

What if they just aren’t interested? This question comes up often, usually asked by well-intentioned educators or parents who have just spent quite a bit of time setting up an invitation or experience, and are a bit frustrated by the lack of interest. We know the feeling well. You carefully mixed the paints, arranged the collage material, cut the wire… and they found the Legos instead. Should we redirect children back toward what we’ve set up, or should we shift, adjust, and respond?

It really depends on your objectives. Do you want each child to walk away with a product, or are you working towards cultivating the habits and dispositions of creative thinking? If you’re hoping to encourage focus, flow, and a deep sense of purpose, we’d recommend the shift, adjust, and respond option. But we do have some strategies for at least piquing the curiosity of young children and allowing their interests, ideas, and motivations to shape and drive the experience.