Children arechildren regardless of socio-economic level, sex, ethnic background, orability. I love to remind peoplethat baby bears are baby bears regardless of IQ. In spite of all of the labels we try to impose on children,we must never forget that they are children FIRST!
A neighbor said,“I heard your songs are good for children with autism. Do you work with children withautism?” I kept my cool as Iresponded, “I sing with ALL children. Music is a universal language that helps us love each other.” (I borrowed that “music helps us loveeach other” from Pete Seeger, but it’s true.)
Where am I goingwith this? I have a friend with alittle granddaughter who has some physical issues and has to wear a brace onher leg. I remind her grandmotherto just love her and pretend like there is nothing wrong. In my years as an educator I have seenchildren with no arms and legs “Tooty Ta” with me. I have had children with no arms write and draw with theirtoes. I have seen children inwheelchairs picked first to be on a kick ball team. I have had all the boys want to marry my little bald Laurenwho had gone through chemotherapy. Why? Because if you don’ttell children they are different they won’t act different. It’s as simple as that!
I’m visiting my grandson’sfirst grade class tomorrow and I’ve been asked to integrate what I do withfriendship and citizenship. I’mgoing to teach them “Katalina Matalina” and talk about having a heart of gold. I’m going to buy a bag of tickets atthe dollar store for each class and ask the teachers to pass the tickets out tothe children so they can give “kindness” tickets to their friends. We’re going to sing “We Love Our Flag”and I’m going to teach them the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language becauseit makes the words so much more meaningful. And I found this poem in an old file:
I pledge to myselfon this day
To try to be kindin every way.
To every personbig or small
I will help themif they fall.
I will love myselfand others, too.
That’s the bestthat I can do!
And, we’ll do the“Tooty Ta” and the “Banana Dance” and we’ll all smile and love each other! Children are children!
