It started with a bug. During Pre-K this morning, one curious student spotted a small insect and Mrs. Heidi Narvesen caught it. What could have been a momentary distraction became a 30-minute adventure in discovery, observation, paying attention, and wonder.
Mrs. Narvesen didn't rush the students back to their regularly scheduled activities. Instead, she recognized an opportunity and brought out the classroom's insect house. Suddenly the little creature became the center of attention. Students gathered around, studied its movements, explored its features, talked about their discovery, and considered how they could care for it.
For the next half hour, learning unfolded naturally through curiosity, and the lesson was about much more than a bug. Lower School Dean of Students Julie Stender recognized something significant in Mrs. Narvesen's response. "When you create a space of awe and wonder, every opportunity is a learning opportunity," she reflected.
In Matthew 10:29, Jesus reminds us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from our heavenly Father's care. If God pays attention to the smallest creatures, shouldn't we learn to notice them too?
In those 30 minutes, students practiced careful observation and developed language through conversation. They considered the needs of a living creature and learned that curiosity inspires responsibility. They weren't simply looking at an insect. They were learning to slow down, notice the world around them, and respond with wonder and care.
This simple interaction of small discovery led to a lasting lesson in wonder. It’s a beautiful reminder that God's creation is always worth our attention.