This document discusses the importance of cultivating wonder in children. It states that wondering infuses questioning and thinking with spirituality by showing children that there are no single right or wrong answers. The document advocates engaging children's sense of wonder by asking open-ended wondering questions about stories, art, and discussions to encourage exploration from their perspective. It also notes that maintaining a sense of wonder can inspire questioning and pushing boundaries as children grow into adulthood.

1. The Joy of Wonder

3. Wondering makes space
for growing in the light

4. Wondering infuses our
questioning and our thinking
with a spiritual aspect. Children
learn there isn’t one right or
wrong answer. Life is filled with
really big questions.

6. I wonder
wonder
wonder
wonder

7. Wondering is about entertaining and
exploring possibilities

8. Wonder is in the flower that
returns after a cold winter

9. The infinite depth of the night sky

11. the incredible soul filling joy at
finding a friend.

12. The practice of wondering with
children makes space for children
to explore the ideas and images,
words and characters in a story
from the particular perspective of
that moment in their lives.

13. •I wonder what part you
like best?
•I wonder what is most
important to you, today?

14. If we are capable of
wondering, our mind
takes flight and dares
to dream.

15. I how the girl feels….

16. I wonder what the camel is doing

17. I what they’re looking at……

18. I what the dog is
searching for….

19. I how many stars are in the sky

20. I how this was made…..

21. I what this is a picture of……

22. If that door could talk what it
would say……….

23. When we ask children to
wonder about a story, a
video, a discussion, we’re
not asking them for a
factual answer to a
question.

24. To wonder can also mean to speculate, to doubt,
to question, to be unsure.

25. To wonder is to be in awe or to marvel

26. If young ones can maintain a sense
of wonder as they pass through
early childhood into adolescence
and early adulthood, that
inclination may inspire much of
their questioning and searching.

27. They may become stronger in their
questioning, testing the edges, and
boundaries of conventional reasoning,
pushing into new territory, demanding
fresh truths and answers.
Wondering is not a simple joy ride.
It has a dark side……..

28. .
Satisfying, authentic
answers are often
elusive.

29. As they yearn to
understand and make the
best of life, a sense of
wonder tilts their thinking
forward. They grow
bolder.

30. How do we shift from asking to…….

31. starts when you
the teacher engage in the
process with your children.
You are the mirror.

32. When you finish a book, are engaged in
conversation with a story or with an art
project begin to ask the wondering
questions. Make sure your posture,
face, and voice are open and
welcoming. Your questions will sound
more genuine and inviting to the
children if you are wondering with
them!

33. about their art

34. “When we wonder, we’re sharing what
we think, feel, or know about the
story today. There isn’t one right or
wrong answer. Let’s listen in our
hearts and listen to our friends.
Wondering takes practice for all of
us.”

35. If a child asks a question that
you cannot answer, or you
don’t feel comfortable
inserting your ideas, you can
simply state, “I wonder.” This
simple response is a cue to the
children that you, too, are on a
journey of discovery.

36. Don’t be discouraged if children do
not respond verbally to each
wondering question, or if they don’t
respond to any of them. Being
comfortable with silence is another
practice we can model, and it is a
valuable lesson for our youngest.

37. Activity
Look at each of the following
images.
Create wondering questions in your
mind for each image.
Do this independently, jot down
your thoughts.

45. Notice the body
language and facial
expressions of the
children to
determine if they
are wondering and
thinking, or if they
are unsure about the
question, or if they
are ready for
another question.

46. As children grow used to
wondering questions, they
may begin to create their
own during the response
time. Honor and explore
their questions
Allow them space to wonder
inwardly.

47. If a child is to keep
alive his inborn
sense of wonder, he
needs the
companionship of at
least one adult who
can share it,
rediscovering with
him the joy,
excitement, and
mystery of the
world we live in.”―
Rachel Carson

49. Direct experience of that transcending
mystery and wonder, affirmed in all
cultures, which moves us to a renewal
of the spirit and an openness to the
forces which create and uphold life.

50. Because we are
spiritual beings on a
human journey