The Elements of Serendipity

Hanging near my desk is a framed drawing. It was a gift created by the children in one of the programs I was a part of many years ago. The picture brings back memories of all the beautiful projects and explorations I experienced with the children.

What was the secret ingredient that made my time in the program special?

The secret ingredient was serendipity.

There are many definitions of serendipity. A simple description says serendipity is luck. But luck is not what occurred during that creative period. One definition says that serendipity is “Finding good things without looking for them.” This definition is closer to the feeling I remember. Then I found another definition that hit the mark. It says serendipity is “Finding valuable things not sought for.” I like this definition because luck does not come to us randomly. Instead, luck finds us because we engage in deliberate actions that create conditions for interesting ideas, experiences, and serendipity.

What elements create an environment for serendipity to blossom in our work with children?

Element #1 - Being Open to Not Knowing

The practice of learning involves asking questions and the journey to find answers. Learning focuses on an investigation and exploring new questions that keep the journey moving forward. The journey of questioning, investigating, and discovery follows a path with twists and turns. If we embrace uncertainty, stay the course, and invest in the learning journey, serendipity will appear.

“We do know is that to be with children is to work one-third with certainty and two-thirds with uncertainty and the new.” Loris Malaguzzi

Element #2 - No Expected Outcomes

When children have questions, our natural tendency is to imagine how the investigation will proceed. Our role as educators is to try and suspend our expectations, be open to the learning journey, and embrace unexpected outcomes. Suspending our expectations fosters moments of surprise, discovery, and serendipity.

“Creativity seems to express itself through cognitive, affective, and imaginative processes. These come together and support the skills for predicting and arriving at unexpected solutions.”  Loris Malaguzzi

Element #3 - Savor the Present Moment

True life only exists in one space, the moment. The past is gone, and the future is unknown. Our willingness to be present with the children and the learning journey opens avenues for serendipity. Being open to the moment breathes life into our work and takes it to a new level of discovery.

Element #4 - Sharing Possibilities with Others

Learning expansion involves care, attention, and community. When educators and children work together, the possibilities of learning flourish. The relationship between children and educators fosters a caring environment where shared ideas and experiences formulate a rich soil where discoveries come alive.

“Once children are helped to perceive themselves as authors or inventors, once they are helped to discover the pleasure of inquiry, their motivation and interest explode.”  Loris Malaguzzi.