What do we really see when we observe children? Often, our assumptions shape our observations, framing children as ‘still learning’ rather than ‘already whole.’ In our recent reflection, we revisited a moment with Baadal, a 3-year-old whose playful energy stood out during a visit to a construction site. But when we looked again through the ‘high status’ lens — a tool that asks us to hold children in the same regard we hold artists, leaders, or mentors — we began noticing what was hidden in plain sight.
Baadal’s cheerful chatter was peppered with mentions of her mother, who was in hospital. Her tiny hands clutched a strip of capsules and a bottle of medicine. Was she holding onto more than just objects? Was she searching for her mother in each moment?
The ‘high status’ lens challenges us to question our assumptions, to look closer, and to see children as already worthy of our deepest attention. What have you noticed lately that felt easy to overlook?
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