Teferi Efreet said:
We're looking to maintain an age 15-16 writing level around here
* This is new. But I think I can try for it. I'll try to use smaller words and avoid literary prose. Hmm.
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Suggestion: Matching and Mirroring:
* Communication is a key social ingredient in happy people. We want to communicate, be understood, and build something together. But often times we notice a gap between skill levels. A difference in ability or experience. This is not uncommon and is present in just about all of our human endeavors. From sports to cooking. Some people are faster, stronger, and more experienced than others. In these situations it is best to seek for a meeting point. Find a middle ground. Sometimes that means the younger player must step up. But more often, it means that the older player must step down. The older generation must lead the younger.
Most often the older player will,
Lead By Example. And that is a wonderful gift. Very familiar to us all. But I would like to compliment that technique by showing another one that is just as fun to do. Learning to Match and Mirror.
Matching and Mirroring is a social technique that allows an older, more experienced player the opportunity to step down to the younger players perspective. It requires them to speak in the younger players language. To see the world from the younger players perspective. To engage with the younger player in exactly their same tone, atmosphere, and cadence. To match, and mirror their level of communication. To run at their same speed. Alongside them. Then, and only then. When running together, at the same speed, can they 'both' move forward. Build as a team.
This method is difficult for many older players. Most often an older player wants to push the younger player. Wants them to run faster. Wants them to see the world from their older perspective. Wants them to grow, right now. To stop being young. And start being old. And sometimes that can lead to missing key steps in the growing process. Sometimes we miss out our childhood by wanting to just be an adult. And that is a sorrowful thing indeed.
Childhood is a blessing. Even in writing. And we must learn to enjoy ourselves, no matter where we are in skill, or age, or writing level. Even if that means that sometimes an adult must kneel down and play 'house' with a child. Using the child's rules, speaking in the child's language, and playing a silly game. A game that the child loves to play. And a game that will build the child's trust in the adult. Playing together.
Matching and Mirroring means writing at the lowest persons skill level. Like playing 'house' with a child. If someone can only write a single sentence and a few words? Then the older player must aim to do the same. Communicate using only a few simple sentences. Avoiding cultural terms and slang. Building slowly and easily. Matching the younger players rhythm and mirroring their pace. Running at the same speed and enjoying the hike together.
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Question: But I want them to grow, I don't want to slow down:
* I understand. And that is your privilege. If you don't want to slow down, then don't. This method is mostly for parents and teachers anyway. But it will come in handy should even the fastest Olympic runner want to trying jogging along once-and-a-while with the larger groups of Weekend Jogging Clubs. Haha. Bigger, faster, stronger doesn't matter here. We are all just trying to be happy humans. One day at a time.
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Challenge: I want you to play 'house' with a younger player:
* Find a less skillful player and play at their speed. Just, slow down. Take yourself less seriously. Haha. You might learn something. And you might just make a new friend.
