The direction I gave was as follows:

“Write an X before you write a C.”

The boy, 9 years old, began to work, and a few seconds later showed me this on his paper.

An X and the sea.

He looked at me and asked, “Is this right?”

In that moment I had a chance to either invalidate his world view or validate it and build trust. I choose the latter.

Now, weeks later, I keep coming back to this picture. The more I try to see things his way, the less frustrated I become when he doesn’t perform to my expectations.

Let these kids with different abilities change your worldview. You’ll be better because of it.