Back to Mind Explorers
This game helps children develop metacognition, or the ability to think about their own thinking. By practicing the distinction between objects and subjects, children learn to recognize the difference between their perceptions, thoughts, and feelings, and their fundamental sense of self or pure subjectivity.
This exercise encourages children to step back from their experiences and observe them with curiosity and openness. By learning to flip between object-awareness and subject-awareness, children can develop a more flexible and resilient relationship with their own minds and the world around them.
Additionally, by exploring the nature of pure subjectivity, children can begin to cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and presence. They learn to recognize that their essential nature is not defined by the contents of their experience but rather by the awareness that underlies and contains all experience.
Hey there, young thinker!
Today, we're going to play a fun game called "The Perspective Flip Game."
In this game, we'll be exploring the difference between objects and subjects. Objects are the things we perceive or think about, like a cup, a hand, or even a thought.
Subjects are the ones doing the perceiving or thinking – that's you!
We'll practice flipping back and forth between noticing objects and being the subject. This game will help us understand our own minds better and how we experience the world.
Are you ready to give it a try?
1. Start by having the child look at an object, like a cup. Ask them to note that they are perceiving the cup, and in this case, they are the subject, and the cup is the object.
2. Next, have the child look at their hand. Again, ask them to note that they are perceiving their hand, and in this case, they are the subject, and their hand is the object.
3. Now, ask the child to think about an elephant. Point out that they are having the thought, and in this case, the thought of an elephant is the object, and they are the subject.
4. Have the child think about themselves. Explain that the thought of themselves is an object, and they are the subject.
5. Encourage the child to consider the difference between themselves and the thought about themselves. Explain that this difference is a pointer to pure subjectivity.
6. Once the child has a feel for the difference between objects and subjects, have them practice flipping back and forth between awareness of an object and being the subject. They can try this with the following list of subjects:
To further explore the concept of objects, subjects, and the nature of awareness, consider introducing your child to the book “Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by ” by JoAnn Deak.
Synopsis: Explores brain functions through playful analogies, showing how thoughts are processed.
Connection: Helps kids see their brain as an “object” they can study, fostering curiosity about the “self” that observes it.
Verse 1:
See that cup upon the table
Your hand in front of you
An elephant in your imagination
Thoughts of me and you
Pre-Chorus:
Who’s doing all the seeing?
Who’s thinking all these thoughts?
Chorus:
Flip it around, turn it inside out
You’re more than what you see
Objects come and objects go
But who’s the real me?
Verse 2:
Feelings flow and ideas grow
Images dance in your mind
But behind it all, there’s something more
A watcher you might find
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
Subject, object, which is which?
A game of hide and seek
The one who sees can’t be seen
That’s the truth we peek
(Chorus)
Outro:
Open your eyes, what do you know?
You’re not just what you think
You’re the one who’s watching it all
In this grand cosmic link
Remember, at QMAK, we don’t just teach; we empower. We don’t just inform; we inspire. We don’t just question; we act. Become a Gold Member, and let’s unlock your child’s full potential, one question at a time.