KidCare 101

I have this thing for kids. No, not a Michael Jackson (rest his soul) thing. Let's call it a special gift for teaching and working with kids. I have never met a child who didn't like me. I may scare them to death at first, but kids always warm up to me. The older I get, I realize that there's a part of me that never grew up. When I was a kid, I would probably have sold my soul for some candy, and there was nothing you could do to persuade me to stay inside the house if the weather was nice outside. And oh my, if the ice cream man showed up on my street?? It was over.


Despite my arrival at adulthood a few years ago, the kid in me didn't go away. More like, it scooted over and made room for eyeliner, men, and bills. I think children sense this in me. 



It blows my mind the way some adults constantly underestimate and undervalue children. I won't get too far onto that soapbox right now, because that's not why I started this post. 


I want to help my fellow grownups get back in touch with their inner child. I want to see more adults bringing out the best in the kids they encounter. And so I give you...KidCare101.







LESSON #1: PAY ATTENTION


If you knew the only way to convince people to pay attention to you or take you seriously  was to do something drastic, would you do it? 




You know you would.  


Fact is, most adults do not pay attention to children unless they are acting up.We are way too busy trying to sort out our own lives, we don't have time to look at Susie's deformed school art project, or listen to Johnny tell you how gross the pizza he had for lunch was. Be honest, you just don't have time to care!

But if you want to be the type of parent/adult that kids trust, you need to show them that what they have to say matters. 


Lesson #2: YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING, JUST MORE THINGS.


Alot of adults assume that just because they are an adult, they automatically know everything. So if a girl tells you that a boy in her class is constantly picking on her, you automatically sit her down and explain to her that it's because the boy likes her....which is bullcrap.



When I was a kid I had a huge forehead, geeky glasses, and ugly clothes. Boys picked on me all the time, and I assure you it was NOT because they were digging my Urkelette look.


[Insert embarrassing photo of my awkward years] Sike!


Lesson #3: PAY ATTENTION...AGAIN.

Yes, it needed to be said twice. Adults may never know how deeply children are affected by grownups who devote time and attention to them. When you walk into a room and see kids arguing, don't patronize them by telling them to be quiet and play nicely, ask questions and help them come to a solution.


The best thing about working with kids, is realizing that they aren't that different from adults. Once you understand that, I think the rest just clicks. 


I will end with this statement: "Children are to be heard and understood, not just seen and dismissed."

I love these guys!

I may have to continue this series.


♥Tiarra♥