Hugs, High Fives, and the Grace of Children by guest blogger Lisa Nolan of the Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness blog
My special needs son JJ started attending public school Kindergarten a few years ago. I admit I was worried. Would the other children accept JJ in spite of his Down syndrome? Avoid him? Sneer at him? Make fun of him? Or worse, bully him?
We hear stories practically every week about children who are bullied. And so the discussion begins, how do you react to bullies in school? But what we need to also talk about is how to teach children to be accepting of others who are different, who have special needs, or who just stand out in the crowd.
According to Montessori child development, at around age five, children begin the developmental transition to the Abstract Reasoning stage. More broadly, five-year-old begins the “Why, mommy, why?” phase. Why is the sky blue? What makes the wind? In Montessori elementary education the focus also changes as children at age six span out from the me, myself, my family, my school to the Universe, the planets, and the stars. It is a complete u-turn.
It is also the age when Montessori teachers introduce the People of the Word, where they live, how they live, as well as their needs: food, shelter, transportation, clothing, and defense. Here is where I would include other children who are different: who have Down syndrome, who use a wheel chair, or who speak a different language.
Compare it to nature. We have so many different animals, plants, flowers, birds, and trees: oak, pine, apple, and how boring the world would be if all the trees were the same. And what if every sunset was the same?
So it is with us: different color skin, hair, eyes, languages, as well as different and unique abilities. Ask your children to think about how enriched our lives are because of diversity, to picture an orange Monarch butterfly resting in a pine tree; the red hot lava flowing from a black volcano; a green humming bird hovering over a pink rose; a yellow leaf falling from a brown branch; a little girl sitting in a steel, blue wheelchair; a tan boy with black curls speaking with his hands; a toddler with a purple bonnet wearing glasses and crawling across a white kitchen floor.
This helps children develop tolerance for diversity. You can share the diversity in your extended family through stories about grandma growing up on a farm and uncle Joe cooking Italian food from his home country.
You can discuss the little boy in your child’s class who has Down syndrome and needs extra help so he has a special person with him called an aide.
If we educate and expose and talk about diversity in the world starting at five and six when they are hungry for information about the world and beyond, the more accepting your children will be, and more enriched their lives would be.
Friends (Photo by Lisa Nolan)
It’s morning time and my son and I are getting ready to walk to school. He puts on his jacket, I assist his little hands, and together we zip it up. His backpack goes on next, then he grabs his lunchbox, and we are out the door.
On the way to school my son says hi to everyone who passes.
As we reach the school yard children and parents file in and my son is greeted with hugs, high fives, and the grace of children.
My heart feels full.
And I am thankful.
JJ and Friend (Photo by Lisa Nolan)
OK, my dear readers, now it’s your turn! Leave a comment and tell us how you introduce diversity at home or in the classroom?
Photo Credit: Photos by Lisa Nolan
“From start to finish, this book is a gem. I can’t think of a mother who shouldn’t read it, whether you have a newborn or grown children, you will totally relate to these funny and heartwarming stories. This second edition includes 18 new essays from some amazing authors. Having bought the first Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness, I was delighted to read this new edition. One of my favorite quotes from the book: ‘Organic homemade cakes made out of kale and promises.’ This book is funny and then funnier.”—Stephanie Marsh.
Lisa Nolan is the editor and publisher at Monkey Star Press and is working on three parent humor anthologies at the moment. She blogs about Montessori and writes mom lit and memoir. Lisa is also a book publisher, mom to a DS child, and a 3-6 and 6-9 Montessori trained teacher. You can find her at Monkey Star Press, and Facebook and Twitter.
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I think my kids are pretty diverse. We expose them to lots of cultures, etc in their every day lives.
Thanks Robin, great to hear it! Such an important lesson!
Twitter: monkeystarpress
My daughter goes to very unique International school and I could not be happier. She has been going since she was two and is “used” to diversity on all levels; it is her norm. I grew up in a small town in Ohio with ZERO diversity and small minded people. I am so thankful she embraces everyone the same… It’s a gift!
Twitter: sassypiehole
I was lucky to have been raised in San Francisco (before it was too expensive to live there) and it was so diverse, as was my local public school!
Twitter: monkeystarpress
Your son is adorable! One of my best friend’s daughters has Down Syndrome. She definitely has had some challenges, but most kids are very loving and accepting of her.
Thanks Christine! Yes, we’ve been blessed!
Twitter: monkeystarpress
Aww!! He’s so cute!!
Now then. Well my daughter started kindergarten this year and I was worried, I admit. She does well socially but she’s very little and I was very little at that age and got teased. Her class is so interesting. One of her best friends has Cerebral Palsy, is the only black kid in kindergarten AND has two dads. He’s also one of the most popular kids. My daughter’s best friend has two moms and her other best friends also has two dads.
We live in a very unique town but the diversity lessons are almost not necessary because they’re all making connections together.
It does lead to GREAT conversations at home, though. Positive ones.
Wow! That is one diverse classroom! I think it’s great that children learn about diversity by being surrounded by it!
Twitter: monkeystarpress
This warmed my heart. I’m so glad people are kind and accepting. I don’t see it everyday so stories like this just make me melt. He sure is a sweetheart and so photogenic!
Yes, and thank you! (I am so NOT photogenic!) It is nice to hear a positive story about children, we read about so many negative stories!
Twitter: monkeystarpress
I feel that diversity is one of the most important lessons we can teach our children. Good for you!
This was a great post .. it must have been tough to send JJ to Public School. I agree that it is up to the Parents to teach children to be accepting of others regardless of how they look
Twitter: hautepeople
If only we could maintain that childhood innocence forever. Young kids have no preconceived notions and are curious but accepting of differences. My kids grew up in New York where they can friends of every color, race, religion.
Twitter: loisaltermark
What a sweet post. Sounds like you are raising your kids in an honorable way!
Awe… that is just awesome. I love hearing storied like this. I see many children being loving with everyone at my kids’ school. Even in 2nd grade, everyone greets each other with high fives and smiles 😉
WE know all about diversity around here. 🙂 I’m the rolling example for my kid and their friends/our community.
Twitter: wheelchairmommy
JJ is adorable. What a great, inspirational post
Twitter: LauraT_Funk
This is my favorite post of the day. I love that you foster diversity and encourage open minded and caring kids.
What a wonderful post! We must embrace and appreciate the differences in each other!
Twitter: pinkkballoons
A wonderful reminder! Its so heartwarming to hear that your son is surrounded with so much love and appreciation!
I hope that my son is exposed to different cultures every day. We travel and explore the world around us as often as we can.
“My heart feels full.
And I am thankful.”
Beautiful!
Stopping by from the Friendship Friday blog hop, come say hi!
Twitter: MyTalentHounds
I guess this blog would be really helpful and inspiring too. Great share!
Wonderful post and nicely done! Through the eyes of the mother. This is precious and everyone should read it! Thanks! Pinned and tweeted.
Twitter: Wise Owl Factory
Hope everything turns out very well for you JJ. It’s so inspiring to see how you blossom and I pray that all other kids out there who needs special care and attention are as lucky as you are. Thanks you for sharing JJ’s story!
Twitter: MDnegligence
loved reading this post x
I think kids are generally unbiased and only begin to treat others differently when they learn this behavior. Its great to hear a story like yours and see there is still good in the world.