Lessons learned from my young students...

My preschool class has welcomed four new students in the past few weeks.  My heart always goes out to these little ones entering a new environment for the first time that is abuzz of activity.  But the reactions of my long time students to the new classmates is often times what leaves me humbled and speechless.

These little three and four year olds are capable of demonstrating such empathy and compassion.  I see them ushering our new friends to circle time, making room for them on our carpet, helpfully showing them where to hang their school bag or how to find their mailbox.  I see them eagerly taking these new students "under their wing" to help them understand what is going on in the classroom and eagerly approaching them at play time.

Our world is so full of negativity.  We have gotten so complacent about mean spirited behavior.  We accept it from our politicians.  We are entertained by it on social media, movies and television.  We practice it in our daily lives by passing judgement on others, and filling our days with gossip and snarky backstabbing behaviors.

Our world would be a better place if we reconnected with openness, kindness and empathy that our little ones possess.  They give me hope for the future, and we all should take a page from their playbook and adopt it into our daily lives.

Follow my page at: facebook.com/SplashParentingPrinciples