When I started with facilitation, I mostly equated it with teaching. I assumed I had to teach the child. This was such a heavy burden I carried on with. It felt I had to know everything to able to lead the child in the ‘right direction’. And that wasn’t something that was working for me or the child.
Now I understand better, I have to be with the child, rest will evolve out of us being together. This looks very trivial to see and one wonders is there anything worthwhile in this approach at all. Questions arise – how can one let go of control? what importance is my role in this? what if child is lost and not able to figure out? what if i am not capable to help the child? what will child think of me?
But the more you do it with children, the more enriching your journey and relationship is with the child. For instance, this term I am mentoring a teen who wants to deep dive into business. frankly, I have never done business myself nor partnered with anyone. but there lies the beauty of figuring it out together with the child. there is no wasting time in unsolicited gyaan.
We both decided what would my role be in his deep dive. I asked him ‘where do you want me to jump in along with you – planning, progress tracking, grilling, emotional support, what else’ he shared instantly, ‘I want you to keep grilling me so I form new perspectives and that helps me’ Then I shared what are my needs to be able to work with him and ‘grill’ him to the best of my capabilities. I told him I need his commitment on documenting everything and sharing it, so we are on the same page.
We spent a solid 15-20 mins entirely discussing the semi conductor industry. I did not know many things, so I asked him (with genuine interest). he knew somethings, did not many that I questioned him on. but now there were more things for him to discover. we both ended the call being so much richer with this interaction.