My right is your left. How does a point of view change the way we think?

If we stand facing each other and write the number 9 between us, one person will see 9 and the other will see 6. The place we are in gives us a specific perspective and, consequently, determines what we see. It’s worth realising that not everyone sees, literally and figuratively, the world as we do.

Bird’s-eye view

Your children already have the experience of looking down on something: they climbed ladders in a playground or looked out the window from a high floor. Invite children to play. Imagine what your house might look like from high up. What would it look like if we peaked inside through the window? Or through a keyhole or a door left ajar? You can now choose one of these perspectives and draw it. What could such an observer think of you and your family? What do you do? How many family members are there?

Look through the eyes of a child

Growth alone determines what we can see. If we go to the forest or to the mountains, then a bush or a larger stone may obscure the view of a shorter person. What you see may therefore be completely invisible to your child. Also, if you get down to the child’s height at eye-level, what you didn’t notice before can be extremely interesting. When you go for a walk, try to look at the world through the eyes of your child. Remember this and when a child wants to show you something, squat and try to look at it from their perspective. Remember that even a shadow can be exciting or scary for your child. Don’t marginalise the matter by saying that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Instead, talk about how to tame this fear.

Let’s look from the other side

Another way to take a refreshing look at what surrounds us, what we do and what we think is through a game entitled: “Let’s look from the other side”. Try to look at the same things from different perspectives and, with your child, consider:

What’s good about getting angry?

What’s wrong with being calm?

What’s difficult about someone who always wants to be with us?

What’s unpleasant about someone who gets a lot of presents?

What’s difficult about being forced to stay home?

What’s valuable about being forced to stay home?

Find a good side

You can adjust this exercise to address specifically what’s weighing you down right now. Think about what you find difficult, unpleasant or what you can’t see the positive side in. Then ask out loud the following question: “What’s good about…?” – and list all the ideas you can think of. Brainstorming with your family might allow you to look at some of your concerns from a different perspective. It may also help you find solutions that you haven’t thought of on your own. Or it will simply bring you relief by providing the bigger picture.

All source materials are prepared by the team of Kulczyk Foundation’s Education Department in cooperation with teachers and experts – pedagogists, psychologists and cultural experts – and verified by an experienced family therapist Kamila Becker. Kinga Kuszak, PhD, Professor of Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Educational Studies, provides content-related supervision over Kulczyk Foundation’s educational materials. All materials are covered by the content patronage of the Faculty of Educational Studies of Adam Mickiewicz University.

The article was published on 22.04.2020 on the website of Instytut Dobrego Życia (Good Life Institute)

Authors: Marta Tomaszewska (Kulczyk Foundation) and Anna Woźniak (Instytut Dobrego Życia)