Expertise

Experto credite, wrote the poet Virgil. Trust one who has proved it.

Everyone likes to think he is an expert in something. Or if not quite an expert, that he at least has a keener interest in, and is therefore more knowledgeable about, one topic or field than another.

Children are no different from adults in assessing what they know and then offering to share those insights. But their unsolicited opinions come with a lighter touch befitting their youthful exuberance and thus carry more charm and grace than those of their elders. And so it was a most welcome role reversal yesterday when the substitute teacher became the student who profited from the lessons taught by a class of second graders.

Earlier in the week the children were instructed to examine their own interests to try to determine what were their unique specialties or skills. Their assignment then was to write about and illustrate the self-appraisals of their own individual areas of expertise.

Here are two of the most charming (spelling and punctuation uncorrected), which do not do full justice to the children’s efforts:

Caroline judged soccer—playing soccer, that is—to be her specialty. She admitted that it was not easy at the start. “My first game was very tuff,” she wrote, but with instruction and encouragement from her coach, she said that she began to improve. Caroline’s presentation included an “expert” list of important lessons she learned about the sport:

 ∙ Never cover your team mate

 ∙ Always pass the ball when you have a chance

 ∙ Try your best

 ∙ Never argue with the Reff

 ∙ If you fall, try to get back up

 ∙ Try not to hit the ball with your hand or you will get a penelty

 ∙ A punt is what goalies do

Kenny wrote about his wrestling expertise, and like his classmate Caroline, he offered bullet points about what he has learned in the ring:

 ∙ Don’t throw your head gear

 ∙ Wait for the whisle

 ∙ Don’t eat candy before a match

 ∙ Make a mean face

 ∙ Don’t move slowe

 ∙ Shake the kids hand

 ∙ Don’t lose your equit ment

 ∙ Never smile at your openent

 ∙ Don’t cholk

 ∙ Drink water after the match