Today was a rather unusual - and unfortunate day for one of my little students. We were off to a great start: talking about Star Wars and Darth Vader...anything to get the conversation going. He completed all of his assignments and did more math than a cashier does at Walmart. Overall it was a good day until he fell..
Many children fidget (goodness, many adults fidget) to the point to where they need the distractions to keep their anxiety at bay. I recall one student who fidgeted so badly in my classroom that she would leave black and blue marks on my arms and legs. My little 5 1/2 year old student today was fidgeting on a bench and for some reason or another, needed to stand up. He moved his feet back and forth over and over again until something terrible happened - his foot slipped and his beautiful and angelic head face planted on the table. It was not a pretty sight for me to see and as I heard the screeching sound of his voice yelp for help - I knew it was time for his parents to come in and play "Private Mommy and Daddy Investigator". The only thing that really surprised me was their reaction to the entire event.
When a child falls down - what I normally hear from a mom and dad is, "What were you doing" or "You should be more careful" or "Why did you do that". These parents approached this situation with so much caution and care that I felt much better about the world when I saw how they consoled their son. Rather than chiding the little 5 1/2 year old about the accident, the father immediately came down to his level and opened his arms out to him in an effort to have his son release his pain. His son wailed for about two minutes and as his cry for help subsided, I noticed the father rest his head on his son's head as a way to tell him non-verbally, "It's okay, Dad is here. There's nothing to worry about." After that, I noticed his mother walk (not run) over to the refrigerator to grab something cold and soothing for him to drink so that his recovery would be expedited.
In that five minute interaction I found that:
Neither mom nor dad raised their voice.
Neither mom nor dad ridiculed their child.
Neither mom nor dad overreacted when they knew that the child had done something wrong.
Many children learn from other children - but it is through the actions and loving embrace that comes from a caregiver that allows them to grow emotionally. Today helped me realize that all parents are not the same however, I do wish that more parents could take some notes on what these two opened my eyes to.
Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Super Parent, I always knew your child was incredible, now I know why!
Many children fidget (goodness, many adults fidget) to the point to where they need the distractions to keep their anxiety at bay. I recall one student who fidgeted so badly in my classroom that she would leave black and blue marks on my arms and legs. My little 5 1/2 year old student today was fidgeting on a bench and for some reason or another, needed to stand up. He moved his feet back and forth over and over again until something terrible happened - his foot slipped and his beautiful and angelic head face planted on the table. It was not a pretty sight for me to see and as I heard the screeching sound of his voice yelp for help - I knew it was time for his parents to come in and play "Private Mommy and Daddy Investigator". The only thing that really surprised me was their reaction to the entire event.
When a child falls down - what I normally hear from a mom and dad is, "What were you doing" or "You should be more careful" or "Why did you do that". These parents approached this situation with so much caution and care that I felt much better about the world when I saw how they consoled their son. Rather than chiding the little 5 1/2 year old about the accident, the father immediately came down to his level and opened his arms out to him in an effort to have his son release his pain. His son wailed for about two minutes and as his cry for help subsided, I noticed the father rest his head on his son's head as a way to tell him non-verbally, "It's okay, Dad is here. There's nothing to worry about." After that, I noticed his mother walk (not run) over to the refrigerator to grab something cold and soothing for him to drink so that his recovery would be expedited.
In that five minute interaction I found that:
Neither mom nor dad raised their voice.
Neither mom nor dad ridiculed their child.
Neither mom nor dad overreacted when they knew that the child had done something wrong.
Many children learn from other children - but it is through the actions and loving embrace that comes from a caregiver that allows them to grow emotionally. Today helped me realize that all parents are not the same however, I do wish that more parents could take some notes on what these two opened my eyes to.
Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Super Parent, I always knew your child was incredible, now I know why!
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