Here’s basically everything I’m trying to fix about myself as an educator right now.

TODDLER: [says something factually incorrect]
ME: omg you’re brilliant

STUDENT: [says something factually incorrect]
ME: okay but that’s factually incorrect

I find it SOO much easier to identify what’s brilliant about my toddlers’ factually incorrect ideas (eg. referring to a speedometer as a “car clock” today) than a student’s. But they’re both just learners and the student deserves to feel my same appreciation!

Straightforward from here. I need:

Curriculum that invites student brilliance.
Knowledge of math so I can recognize it.
Pedagogical (and tech) tools so I can celebrate and build on it.
Transformation of beliefs about math and students.