Little Connections
I'm often made fun of by people who know me for acting like a little kid. I still find myself floating off into rocketship and knight filled imagination day dreams. I get really excited about candy and balloons. I get scared of the elephant graveyard in The Lion King. I adore Shel Silverstein and I still have my favorite blanket.
So, as you can imagine, when I learned that I would get to spend part of a work day with preschoolers, I got a bit excited. Dr. Seuss and Legos filled my thoughts. Frank Schultz and I headed over to the preschool. I covered it like a journalist for a while, holding back on my desire to play dinosaurs and draw silly pictures on whiteboard. But once I thought I had the story covered, I knew it was time to make friends.
Listening to the kids talk about spaceships and ask me what my camera was made me feel among peers. They knew my language. I taught them how to draw butterflies (check out my slideshow), they showed me their drawings of dinosaurs fighting hippos (as seen below). I lent them my hand to trace, they left it covered in red and blue marker.
I really like hanging out with kids. Their opinions aren't paid attention to enough.
Especially the ones about dinosaurs and spaceships.
Sep 15, 2008 at 10:30 p.m.
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Matt, I am sure you know this, but is there an opportunity for you to tie your journalism, photography and our youth into an extremely successful career? You will be successful!
Sep 14, 2008 at 8:22 a.m.
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Great article, photos, and slide show. You were perfect for the kids!!!
Sep 13, 2008 at 8:43 a.m.
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I agree wjbecky...or perhaps MVP? We should bring him in on one of our meetings.
Sep 13, 2008 at 7:01 a.m.
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What a great Blog Entry! Matt - you sound like the perfect guy to work with SpotLight On Kids!!
Sep 12, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
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I love Shel Silverstein!
I know just what you mean. I did a story about Edgerton 4K, and the students ended up taking my notebook and writing their own "notes" (scribbles) in it. And they taught me how to play computer games. They probably know how to use the computer better than I do.
Sep 12, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.
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Matt, you hit it right on target-- kids' opinions are not heard as much as they really should be. They do not know the world. Therefore, generally, they have not been corrupted with what this world is really full of.
You will have a beautiful career if you can find that niche of kids and journalism!
Sep 12, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.
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Matt,
When I met you on Wednesday, you said this story was going to be a fun one. I agree, preschoolers can quite entertaining. The look on the little girls face, when she was tracing your hand, is cute. It looks like she is thinking, "A hand as big as my marker. Hmmm." Keep up the good work!
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