For as long as I can remember, little kids have been a part of my life. I remember forcing my younger sister to play school and choreographing dances together. I loved doing puzzles with my little cousin when he was a toddler. When I was in middle school, I assistant taught for the first time ever in preschool classes at my dance studio. I enjoyed babysitting for neighbors and friends, thinking it was the best job ever! And now as a college student, I work in as a reading tutor in an elementary school and volunteer at an after school program. Working with kids is a part of my daily schedule and it brings so much joy into my life. I have always strived to be a positive role model to the younger kids following behind me, but what I do not always recognize is how I can learn from them. The little people that have been a part of my life have changed my perspective immensely by seeing the world through their eyes. They have each left their mark on my heart and have taught me to remember these things:
1. Try new things.
Whether they are fearlessly running around the dance studio with a pair of slippery tap shoes or jumping off the diving board all on their own, little ones are fearless. Without exciting moments like these, life would simply be boring and redundant. We would mindlessly be going through the motions of the "same old" schedule. They remind me that every new opportunity is a risk worth taking.
2. Friendship is something to treasure.
I have been privileged to watch so many friendships develop between kids that I have worked with in the past years. The joy that children experience while playing and laughing together makes me smile. They are open to making new friends everywhere they go and treating those new friends like they are made of gold. They remind me that friendship encompasses love and respect for one another, and that the best moments in life are blissful moments spent with friends.
3. Be active.
When I was younger, I spent hours upon hours playing outside. Soccer, jump roping, swimming, roller blading -- you name it, we played it! Kids love to be in the fresh air and let their imaginations run wild. They can be so creative by experiencing the world around them and observing the little parts of nature that often go unnoticed. So now, when I am feeling extra dependent on my Netflix account, I am reminded by the kids around me that I need to get outside for both my own physical (and mental) health as well as to keep in touch with the world surrounding me.
4. Keep asking "Why?"
Everyone can remember a time when they were trying to explain something to a child and kept being bombarded with the word "why".
"Why is that man over there drinking a coffee?" "Why is the sky blue?" "Why can't I fly like Superman?"
As annoying as it may be in this moment, these questions come from a place of pure curiosity. They remind me that as an adult, I need to be critical and inquisitive about the world around me to be an informed citizen.
5. Love your family.
I have witnessed so many scenarios when children are extremely attached to their parents. When I am babysitting, the kids get upset that their parents are leaving them. Through the yelling and the tears, it is often hard to understand how they could possibly be so upset. I mean, their parents are only going down the street for a few hours! However, they do not always comprehend this. What I sometimes forget is that their entire world revolves around their parents. The crying is a representation of how much they love their parents and want to spend time with them (something that college students tend to forget about). These moments remind me that I'm never too old to stop missing my mom and that I should probably call my dad more often. My parents were a huge part of my world and their world revolved around me, so I owe it to them to show them that I do love and care about them.
For all of these reasons, and so many more, children are a constant reminder of the important things in life. As we get older and experience the stress of the "real world", our minds become clouded and we can not always see things for what they truly are. We need little ones around to bring us back down to Earth and help us enjoy life as much as we did when we were kids. So the next time you're around your favorite little one, give them an extra squeeze and know just how much of an impact they have left on your life.
