"Children are one third of our population and all of our future. ~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981"
Isnt that a food for thought people? We have these children, teach these children, get mad at these children, sometimes disregard these children. Some of us look as children as just children not people. Not considering that these children are our future. Our future law makers, inventors, guides, care givers, nurturers. THEY MAY ONLY MAKE UP A PERCENTAGE OF OUR WORLD, BUT THEY HOLD OUR VERY EXISTENCE, IN THEIR HANDS!!!!
To prove that point....a story that toched my heart. My family and I were sitting down and talking with my niece. She's 5 years old and just started Kindergarden. She's the tallest girl in her class and her peers look up to her. But she rides the bus with 1st 2nd and 3rd graders who are bigger than her. Now there's this 2rd grade girl, who's been bullying her because she's a littler taller than her. We asked my niece why have you been letting this girl hit you? are you afraid of her? You fight your older, bigger male cousins (6,9,13) and you're not scared, why are you letting this girl hurt you? My niece said to us (her mom, grandmom and I), "I'm not scared I'm just trying to be nice. Maybe people are not nice to her at home so she's mean on the bus. But I smile and wave and keep being nice and she'll start being nice too. I really dont like her and I want to fight her up, but remember you said it's better to be nice to pepole who are mean to you?...." Wow, I was taken abac. She remembered "kill 'em with kindness", It's better to treat a person who's being mean to you nice because it will eventually eat them up inside. We said that to her a loooonnnng time ago, after a fight/argument she had with one of her cousins. We didnt think she would apply that knowledge now at 5! And her classmates see this! They're learning from her. She's making a difference in their lives already! WOW!
My favorite children's book is over in the meadow (the one illustraed by Ezra Jack Keats). It is one of my favorites, not because of the rhyming and the counting. But the interactions between the mothers and their children. To think if my sister didn't interact with her daughter over a year ago with how to deal with people who mistreat you, my niece wouldnt have the right foundation today.
I loved your story about your niece, that is a very touching story. It sounds like she has learned an important lesson at a young age that is hard for many adults to learn! She is lucky to have such strong and caring role models, it is wonderful that she is applying what she learned at home to her school situation! I also wanted to mention that I also really like the quote that you chose and your explanation of why you chose it...children are definitely the future, all that we do for them now will only make the future better!
ReplyDeleteYour story about your niece is amazing!! It gave me chills. :) Thanks you for sharing that. Many children apply what they learn from home out in the world. I am so glad to hear that on a postive note. With children like your niece (and I have to add my son as well). They have such a bright future ahead of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks you for sharing :)
Chelsea
Over In The Meadow is a great book. The kids at the childcare center where I pursued my undergraduate studies used to love for me to read that book.
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