You don't understand anything properly until you can teach it to someone else. I learned that lesson half a century a ago, and it is still true today.

Real Understanding

Once in a junior high Latin class, I was asked to explain what I had just said. My answer?

"I understand it, but I can't explain it."

The teacher did not accept that excuse and told me that you don't understand anything until you can explain it. I learned my lesson and have never used that excuse again. That happened more than 50 years ago.

Test Your Understanding

Would you like to know how you can make sure that you understand something? It is quite easy. Try to teach it to someone else. I do it all the time, because I love teaching. All my life, when I figure out something new, I want to share it with someone, and I want someone else to enjoy what I am enjoying. When creating art, I do a lot of experimenting, and I love to pass on my new tricks to other people.

If I am able to teach someone else a technique, then I certainly understand it. If I cannot get my point across, it is time to figure out why not. Maybe I don't really know what I am doing, and maybe I need to think about it.

Georgette

In January 2004, I met a new friend at an art workshop. Her name is Georgette, and she is just as original as her name. Like me, she is unable to work and lives on a disability pension. Like me, her disability gave her time to develop the creative side of her personality by venturing out into new media of art. Unlike me, she was not experienced in drawing or painting, but she wanted to learn.

Not only did Georgette and I like each other from the moment we met, we also live in the same neighborhood.

Teaching by Showing

I love to teach, and Georgette loves to learn. Neither of us like someone else to help us finish a picture, but both of us like someone to show us how to do it ourselves.

eorgette asks a lot of questions, just like I do when I am learning something. We both want to know how to do things right. When I was little, I asked all those questions of my older brother, but he never answered them. He thought that I was too young to draw, except that he did not call it "too young." He called it "too stupid." He did, however, let me watch him, and I learned art by watching him. That is how Georgette is learning. When she asks me a question, I don't answer by telling her. I answer by showing her.

And you know what? I am learning new secrets of art by having to demonstrate them. I am learning by teaching.

Your Turn

How about you? Do you have younger brothers and sisters who would love to learn from you? I encourage you to show them how to do things. You might learn more by teaching than you ever did by doing.

© Traute Klein, biogardener