my description:
a smiling boy wearing a sailor hat, red-striped shirt, jeans and hightops is trying to stack dishes onto a shelf where a full set are stored. The dishes in his hand are sliding off onto the ground.
This child has more desire to be helpful than skill at the task, it looks like. On the positive side, he's smiling and happy to do the job. On the less positive side, there go the dishes - when the Pages are learning skills, you have to be willing to accept some imperfection and risk of breakage.
I think the dishes are sliding out of his hands because he is so focused on looking to see what I think of what he's doing - seeking approval - that he isn't paying full attention to how the plates are balanced in his arms. That is also the beginner's mind... wanting so much for confirmation that they're doing it right that they lose track of what all they need to pay attention to.
No big deal... these plates haven't broken, and if they do there are plenty more on the shelf. The Page is learning skills that will stay with him - not stacking plates, but to enjoy work and being of use to others.
Household thought for the day: get the kids involved in straightening things up before they head out for the day.
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