1. “Farting is funny.” – direct quote from every 5th grade boy, probably.
Don’t ask me why, but there’s something about the uncomfortable silence after a child lets one rip that makes you just want to laugh until you cry. I always tell my kids it’s okay to laugh about it afterwards because we’re human and that’s a thing that humans do. In the same way, humans do dumb stuff every day. We make messes, we say the wrong thing, we trip on our own feet, and just generally make a lot of stupid mistakes. But the best way to deal with it in the wake of anxiety, anger, embarrassment, or just plain discomfort that follows, is to laugh it off and keep moving forward. Children and their silly tendencies are a great reminder of this.
2. Usually it’s best to just not care at all about what other people think.
I’ve seen kids do everything from pick their nose and eat their boogers to pick their wedgies with their hands literally in their pants. And let me tell you, they don’t have a care in the world who sees them do it. So be unapologetically yourself. Say what you want, do what you want, dance how you want— however you want to express yourself, just do it. (Except maybe don’t double fist your wedgies.)
3. #nofilter
Kids often have zero concept of what is acceptable to say in public, to another person, or at all for that matter. They’re known for their brutal honesty. One time, a little kid ran into the art room where I was working, screaming as loud as he could: “MISS!! SOMEONE POOPED IN THE TOILET AND PUT THE TRASHCAN ON TOP OF IT AND NOW THE TOILET ISN’T WORKING!” Did that need to be announced to the whole class? Nope. Did he care? Not in the slightest. It probably made a few people feel awkward (not to mention the incident caused a chorus of giggles) but the problem was made known and quickly dealt with accordingly. Maybe we all need to practice a little more #nofilter in that way. It can lead to faster resolution of problems, better relationships, and a few more laughs all around.
4. …but remember that words do matter.
Kids are sensitive. One wrongly worded phrase or too harsh of a tone, BAM! The child you’re talking too is now reduced to a puddle of tears. Honesty is important and can be super beneficial, but to a certain extent. We’re taught the old adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” and we all know sometimes that’s just not true. Hurt feelings are an underestimated pain and kids remind us of how real that pain can be. So when talking to others, it’s important to take into consideration just how powerful, both positively and negatively, words can be.
5. Forgive others…because you literally forgot why you were mad in the first place.
When you do accidentally, or on purpose, (because let’s be honest, kids can be kind of vicious sometimes—there’s that brutal honesty coming in) hurt someone else’s feelings, or when someone does it to you, let it go. I’m not the perfect teacher. Sometimes my irritation or stress gets the best of me and I snap at the kids. I immediately know when I’ve taken it just a bit too far so I quickly apologize and sure enough, 5 minutes later, the kids have completely forgotten the whole incident and are back asking me for more hugs, piggyback rides, and every ounce of my attention. They don’t hold grudges, partly because they don’t always have the capacity too, but also partly because they have too much love and joy to spread to waste time being mad.
6. Energy is contagious.
Kids are sponges; they pick up and imitate everything they see. They’re like parrots, only they require more attention and maintenance. If you aren’t excited about what you’re teaching, you immediately lose all of their attention. You’re not interested in what you’re talking about, why should they be? But if you approach every situation oozing so much positivity that your coworkers want to punch you in the face a little, then you made that kid’s day so much more interesting than it would be otherwise. You don’t have to always like what you’re teaching, the activity you’re doing, the situations that arise, or how the children are reacting but I’ve learned that if you put on your best smile and keep chugging on, things get exponentially better—in teaching and in life.
7. Love freely and love vulnerably.
Every single morning when I walk in to greet the kids I’m assaulted with hugs. And I can say assaulted because I’ve hit the ground because of the sheer force of kids squirming for my attention. All of us have countless cards and pictures drawn by the kids professing their love for us. They give you special handshakes and nicknames. They ooze love and admiration for us out of every pore. For me, there’s no better feeling than hearing one of my kids screaming “Miss Cheese!” (Casey --> Queso --> Cheese) and then being tackled with a million hugs. I don’t have it all together and I mess up constantly, but man oh man, do these kids love me in spite of that. Each child starts to take up a little space in your heart and they start to brighten your days by just being present. They fill in the cracks caused by insecurities because they remind you that you are worthy and loved and wonderful just because you’re YOU. So why not live more like children? I challenge you to laugh more. Be unapologetically yourself. Tell it like it is. Live a life filled with light and energy and positivity. Care, forgive, and above all, love others unconditionally.
