I, Thou, and It

 I, Thou, and It – a three-way relationship in which “I and Thou” are the people (often a teacher and child, though not always) and “It” is the content that compels both.

This three part relationship supports both the development of understanding of the content and the development of human relationships.


On one side of the triangle, a shared interest leads to deeper exploration of content as each involved learner helps the other to uncover new understandings.


On the other side of the triangle, this shared interest drives each learner to uncover new shared traits and interests. 

“One of the very important factors in [meeting and talking with children] is that there be some third thing which is of interest to the child and to the adult.” David Hawkins

“In sharing enjoyment with a child there is a communication of the fact that as observers and learners we are of the same stuff.” Frances Hawkins

 


In traditional schools, districts mandate texts with pre-selected stories, scripts, and supplemental activities. A teacher may find himself teaching material that holds no interest for both him and the children. In this case, teacher and child have no passion for either the subject matter or for learning.

Children are natural explorers, proud of their discoveries.  The adult who delights in their interests and learning processes communicates a respect for the child that is largely absent in traditional schools.

In most current education, the “I” and “Thou” are present, but the “It” is largely absent.  During the past 15 years, the new teacher attrition rate in the US has risen by 50%.  Clearly, teachers who are required to follow rigid curricula and “teach to the test” are missing something that is meaningful to them.

Without the “It,” the interest in the subject matter shared between student and teacher, teaching and learning hold less passion.  David and Frances knew this, as did the many passionate teachers with whom they worked; teachers who treasured the essential “It” they shared with their students.

“Without a Thou, there is no I evolving. Without an It there is no context, no figure and no heat, but only an affair of mirrors confronting
each other.” 
               David Hawkins

Watch yourself when you meet a new person – it is when you find some common ground that the relationship becomes interesting. Watch two children negotiate during play – how easily a conflict can be resolved when the end goal is to continue a mutually interesting game. When two human beings share a mutual interest, the spark and excitement surrounding exploring this interest is electrifying.




To learn more about the idea of I, Thou, It please read the essay, “I Thou, and It” in The Informed Vision.