Life’s Most Important Lesson…

One of my trusted guides in this whole writing process has suggested different topics for me to ponder and pontificate on… well, maybe she did not say pontificate, but discuss.

As I read through my topic list this morning, one idea struck me.

What is the most important lesson I have learned in life?

I have looked at that topic and passed right by it many times.  I thought, what IS the most important lesson?  Seemed too heady for me.

Now, as I thought about it this morning, it’s not.

The most important lesson I have learned in life is…to be kind.

Being kind.  That sounds mundane, boring, trivial even.  But it’s not.

Having worked with children for many years, and most recently with young children, one of the classroom rule’s we always had was to be kind to each other.

My teaching partner and I always thought that was a great goal… but the best part was that the KIDS came up with that!

They actually said, “We should be nice to each other.”

Their words not ours.

Amazing how us grownups can screw that up.

Being kind seems like it should be simple. 

Don’t we start to hear that message at a young age?  Be nice to you sister or brother, be nice and share your toys with your friends.  Be nice to the people we meet at the store… etc.

But, is being kind simple?  Is it as simple as the lessons our parents tried to teach us?

I don’t think so.

As an adult, being kind takes work. 

Being kind means that you are going to choose to treat someone else well…maybe even better than yourself.

Being kind means noticing.  Noticing other people around you. Noticing if someone seems down, or off, or like they’re having a bad day.  Noticing even when it’s not convenient.

Being kind means taking the time.  Taking the time to say something nice, do something nice, or even just smile at someone else.

Being kind means deciding.  Deciding to notice others, and consciously be aware of people around you.

Little kids, if you watch them, are really, really, good at this.

While teaching preschool, I saw this often.  If someone came into the classroom and was having a hard time saying “bye” to Mom, or just feeling off, kids knew.

They were naturally intuitive to others, and would always try to help.  A simple gesture was often just asking, “Are you sad?” accompanied by a sweet little kid hug.

It always made a difference!

So, today, as we go about our busy adult lives, why not take the time, decide, choose and notice people around us.

Be kind to someone.  They will notice.   It matters.

Until next time,

Pam

Brainy Benefits….

A young mom shared an article with me this week written by Camille Vicino.

If my computer skills allow, I will try and also attach it for you at the end of this blog.

After having raised three children, who are all literate, and after helping hundreds of young children in my teaching career, I know that books, being surrounded by them, having them in your home, and hearing them read to you, helps kids brain develop.

Of course, my training as a teacher impacted how I raised my kids, and from the time they could sit on my lap, we started reading.

The words kids hear, when we spend talking with them, and reading to them expands their own sense of the world around them, and leads, I believe to natural curiosity.

All three of my children love to read.  They are adults now, and one has children of her own; she reads to her kids all the time.

It’s so fun to watch kids react to books.  I used to get so excited at the beginning of each school year as I planned what new stories I wanted to share with all my little 3 and 4 year olds!

I now get to have even more fun watching my grandchildren enjoy some of the same great stories my own children loved, as well as my favorite books from preschool.

Kids and books are just such a natural combination. 

I love the efforts of organizations that help give books to kids.  In our area in northern Illinois, Bernie’s Books, does a great job reaching children who need books to keep at their homes.

With the beginning of school, it’s a great time to set up a planned and promised reading time at your house… even if it’s just a few minutes at bedtime each day, kids will love it and benefit from it.

Here are some ideas from the article I mentioned at the beginning of this blog from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

·     Read to your child every day, even if only for a few minutes.  It is your time together.

·     Make reading fun.  You don’t have to finish a story if your child loses interest.

·     Let your child choose the book even if it means reading the same book over and over again.

·     Invite your child to “read” to you from a familiar book that he/she has memorized from.

·     Stop and ask about the illustrations or what your child thinks will happen next.  The answers may amaze you.

·     Read from a variety of children’s books, including fairy tales, poetry, and nursery rhymes.

·     Follow your child’s interest in choosing the books.  There are many great books on non-fiction subjects such as the ocean or dogs.

·     Join your local library

There you have it! 

Go out and read… just for the fun of it… it will make a big difference in your kids’ lives.

And… yay for me!  I attached the article…

Until next time,

Pam

http://www.ahchealthenews.com/2015/08/31/brainy-benefits-of-reading-to-your-kids/