The Correlation Between the Feeling of Vegetables Growing Rapidly in the Field and the Appearance of Students at the Moment Their Grades Improve

Introduction

This is an old entry, from eight years ago. It is a realization I had while working both in vegetable gardening and learning support. Perhaps I was thinking about these two jobs. I am looking back at my diary from that time.

Today, I would like to talk about this.

Vegetable Gardening

When I look at the crops in the field almost every day, I am surprised by their changes. While some grow smoothly, others are seedlings that do not take root well and wither.

I try to find them as early as possible to cultivate the soil or water them, but the difference in growth only widens. It is painful to watch.

On a different note, there are crops that suddenly start to grow rapidly after a period of slow growth. At this time of year, that would be things like Chinese cabbage. When they are small, the change is merely that the number of leaves has increased. Then, they suddenly start to grow before your eyes, to the point where the tips of the leaves almost touch the neighboring plants.

The Timing of Growth

If you watch closely, there is clearly a timing when they start to grow rapidly. During the period of slow growth, the roots are actively extending beneath the surface, invisible to the eye, which likely allows them to absorb more nutrients.

When I watch children in learning support, I sometimes find their state overlaps with that of the vegetables. I do not mean to compare children to vegetables. There are times when I feel that their appearance has clearly changed from before, that they have grown (using the term for plant growth or human growth). When I feel that way, they almost always achieve good grades on the next exam.

Changes in Facial Expression

I think they become faintly aware of what they can now do, which gives them confidence. Surprisingly, it happens in an instant, as if a switch has been flipped. Watching the children, I have witnessed that moment of change several times.

When they understand something, the moment they solve a problem on their own, the child's expression changes instantly. The change from that point on is truly rapid. Just like how a Chinese cabbage suddenly starts to grow rapidly.

When I encounter this moment, I feel happy. Along with the feeling of wanting to support them even more, a feeling akin to a touch of loneliness arises as they begin to move beyond my reach. I suppose this is how they become independent, surely... Perhaps it is my imagination, but the child's expression looks brighter.

Conclusion

Every time I see this slight change in expression, I feel glad that I have done this learning support work. Children are all different. There are children who take time to reach that point, and naturally, there are children who experience various twists and turns. There are also children who cannot do so due to their home environment.

Since we have had the chance to meet, I want every child to have this experience, and I truly want to share that joy with them.

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