The daily prompt from WordPress: You have to learn a new skill.Do you prefer to read about it, watch someone else do it, hear someone else describe it, or try it yourself.

As much as I enjoy reading about something of interest, I’d still rather do it myself. It reminds me of a lecture about sewing household decorator items that I attended years ago. While the woman was demonstrating, I  was wishing that I had my sewing machine and fabric there to create something while she was teaching. That`s where I like the interactive options.

I could read books galore on sewing, writing, gardening or even learning a language, but then I want to try it while the information is fresh in my mind. I think so many things are learned best through one’s own efforts. Some teaching may be needed first, whether it’s hearing, seeing or reading, but then get to the part where the person tries the skill.

No language is ever learned without speaking it, no piano skills made by just listening, and no seamstress ever becomes proficient until she has learned the qualities of fabric, the way a bias works, or by testing out patterns to see what fits best. Also gardeners developed knowledge by growing things herself and reinventing her garden time after time.

That`s the way a child learns, by trying new things, and I think many adults learn by trying things out themselves as well.