Silence isn't the absence of thinking. Sometimes, it is thinking. We often tell children to speak up, share their ideas, and ask questions. But when they actually begin speaking, do we give them enough time to finish? A child may pause, search for words, or struggle to explain an idea. Before they finish, an adult may correct them, complete their sentence, or answer for them. When this happens repeatedly, children can quietly learn: “It’s better not to speak.” The power of a
