Nathan’s Next Step

Nathan’s class is planting seeds at the garden table. Mrs Oak explains several steps while children collect pots. Nathan hears something about soil, water and a name marker. By the time he has a pot, the middle part has slipped away.

Ruby begins filling hers. Nathan turns his empty pot in his hands. He does not want to put everything in the wrong order. He watches quietly, but Ruby’s hands hide the seeds while she works.

Mrs Oak notices the empty pot. “Which part would you like me to show again?” she asks. Nathan says, “After the soil.” He does not need to remember the whole explanation before asking about one part.

She demonstrates a small hollow in the soil and places a seed inside. Then she pauses. Nathan makes his own hollow. Mrs Oak waits while he chooses a seed and puts it in, before showing the next step.

Together they cover the seed and add a little water. Ruby brings a picture marker for his pot. Nathan explains the steps back by pointing: soil, hollow, seed, cover and water. Mrs Oak checks with him without turning it into a race.

Nathan feels more confident about the next pot. He may still need help, and that is all right. Asking for one step at a time gave him a way to begin, rather than waiting for the whole explanation to return.