If you know me, you know I love to work with kiddos. I am currently spending two awesome weeks working at an arts day camp, surrounded by 31 of the coolest kids around. The four to eight age bracket is my favorite; at this age, they're spunky and genuine and full of energy (they are also potty-trained and can speak in full sentences). This summer, the majority of the kids in the program I'm working are about six years old. While my job is to teach them, I find them teaching me so often. Here are six of the most important lessons I've learned from six year olds.
1. Sadness and disappointment are generally short-lived.
Nobody likes to trip or to lose or to fail. Sometimes, when things go wrong, we can’t help but stomp our feet and shake our fists. We might complain or argue; we might even cry. But, guess what? Just as our world seems to be falling apart, things seem to come back together. There are always more rounds of freeze dance to be played.
2. There are rules for a reason.
Someone knew that wet tile is very slippery and therefore should not be run on. We can save ourselves quite a few bruises by following the rules the first time. It's not always fun, but will thank yourself later.
3. Imagination is an amazing thing.
I love my iPhone as much as the next person, but our minds are just as amazing as the latest and greatest gadget. When we dim our screens, we can discover new worlds, brimming with fairytale characters and superheros, movie-star glamour and epic battles. Entertainment for hours, no charger needed.
4. It's okay to get a little messy.
Sometimes, the most amazing inventions are made out of dry macaroni and glitter glue. Sometimes, the most exquisite masterpieces are drawn with chalk on the sidewalk. Sometimes, the most disgusting bugs are buried deep in the soil. But we’ll never know if we're afraid to get some gunk on our clothes.
5. Life moves fast, so stop and enjoy it.
One day, you're on the cusp of first grade, and the next, you're on the cusp of college. When we look up into the eyes of a "big kid" or a grown-up, it's hard to believe that, someday soon, we will be that tall. Don't wish away today; enjoy being 6, or 46, or 106. We will all get our turn to be the big kids or the grown-ups.
6. Despite our differences, we can all be great friends.
There is no denying we are all different, both on the outside and on the inside. There is also no denying that these differences don't bar us from forming bonds fast and strong. I have been lucky enough to watch my campers, all whom have come from different walks of life, go from complete strangers to close friends in a matter of days. In a world that is so full of hate, I can only hope that one day we will all love as if we were six years old.
