Young children have been my focus and captured my heart for many years.  As a children’s minister, school teacher, piano teacher, camp leader and most recently a grandmother these little minds never cease to amaze me.  It makes me cringe to remember times I was not tuned in and operated like a sergeant rather than a teacher.  Along the way I did learn some things: 

1. Children are real people who deserve love and respect.
2. Children always know more than you think they do about whatever is happening around them.
3. A child’s spirit and zest for life can easily be broken if mistreated and when it is the repair is difficult.
4. Children need to be heard.  If we don’t take time to listen to them they will either hibernate within themselves or find someone to listen whose response may harden their hearts rather than nurture them lovingly. 

I am concerned about our children.  As the nation cries for improvements in the Education System I cry for the children in the classroom.  My concern is illustrated well in a children’s book “All Because a Little Bug went Ker-choo!”  The bug sneezes and that blows a leaf.  The leaf hits a frog causing him to jump out of the water which causes a stone to fly…in the end there is a parade that ends in humorous disaster all because a little bug went ker-choo!   Pressure for performance from the top is being passed down through all the chains of command to the degree that by the time it reaches the classroom the teachers are so stressed they can no longer afford to nurture our children.  Get to know them personally.  Respect them as individuals who are unique in their strengths and weaknesses.  The focus is on making the goal no matter what and in less than two weeks of school even the teacher who desires to help all children has already labeled the children in their class who are seen as a liability in achieving their academic goals. 

As I look around I must say we are losing something very important in setting idyllic goals and often unreasonable expectations. It is called respect for the human being.  Respect means we are willing to engage in a relationship with another person (including a child) and build confidence and positive self esteem by encouraging one another in our strengths.  Yes we have the possibility of inventing the newest technology, but also and more importantly, there is an opportunity for each of us to take our place in a love starved society and truly care about someone.   Everywhere you go now you see the word simple.  Everyone is craving simplicity.  Here it is:  See the child.  Hear the child. Love the Child.  That will teach the child the most important thing they need to know- I am special.