Sometimes Children Are the Teachers
There are times being a teacher over a rambunctious group of four, five or eight year old children can seem beyond overwhelming, especially when we’re not at our best. Whether it’s in our own homes, or in church, it may seem as though much of what we wish to impart barely makes it past their little ears.
While it is important to teach the same lessons in the hopes of something getting through to them, we must not forget to listen back. Kids of every shape and form have something to teach us, even when we believe it is the adults who are supposed to be the teachers.
My sister-in-law recently told me of an extraordinary experience she had while in her calling as Primary President (leader over the children 3-11 years old). She first related to me one of her favorite quotes:
“Don’t overestimate a child’s abilities, but never underestimate their capabilities.”
Placed under her and the other leaders care were several autistic children. One in particular, we’ll call him John, was severely limited in ways which did not allow him to participate nor contribute much to the two hours of Primary each Sunday. Every once in a while, however, something would happen to let them see the extraordinary child who lay within.
One time his class was discussing Nephi from the Book of Mormon, where he was commanded, much like Noah, to build a ship. About five minutes into the lesson John called out, “Pirate Ship!”
He did this several times, and no one understood why until one person figured it out.
In John’s mind Nephi must have been a pirate because he was building a ship and, after all, only Pirates need ships. He must have watched Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ recently.
This idea led them to their second, and much more important, realization. John had been listening to every word. Though it didn’t seem like anything was sinking in, this sweet child was learning.
Another experience they had with John happened as they played a game during their singing time. A child would be chosen to stand up front and the pianist would play a song. The challenge was to see if the child could fill in the words.
Every time it was John’s turn he would not sing. He wouldn’t even say a word. Yet the leaders always made a point to give him his very own turn.
As they played this game one particular Sunday, John was next in line. Everyone knew what would happen: the pianist would play, John wouldn’t respond, and it would be the next child’s turn.
As the piano played the tune to “I Am a Child of God”, he sang it out loud and clear for everyone to hear for the very first time. They had finally given John ‘his’ song to sing.
Every child we have to teach, whether at home or at church, has so much to bless us with if we take the time to watch and listen. In those precious moments, all the headaches and heartaches become worth the effort. In those moments, they become our teachers.
(To listen to “I Am a Child of God” go to www.lds.org/churchmusic and select Music)
A Yardsale Fundraiser
Typically when my oldest daughter, Michelle, comes to me with the words, “Mom, I have an idea…” I cringe. Half the time I don’t realize I’m doing it, but you have to understand something.
These ‘ideas’ range from putting together her newest recipe (”You take some sugar, and some lemons, and some water, and some ice and mix it all together.”) to her latest scheme for helping others (”We could walk from door to door and ask people for money!”).
Needless to say when she last declared those dreaded words I prepared myself to flinch on the inside while smiling supportively on the outside.
“Mom, could we do a yard sale to raise money for a hospital?”
No cringing occurred. This turned out to be an idea we could make happen. As a mother I dearly wanted Michelle to see her idea through to the end, and to have some fun in the process.
We began going through our house, unearthing things that hadn’t seen the light of day since my darling husband and I had been married eleven years before. The packrat in me protested, screaming we might actually need nearly three-dozen mismatched mugs one day.
How we acquired so many mugs I shall never know. I promptly squashed my inner packrat and filled bags and boxes of miscellaneous items I at least hoped people would want.
We didn’t stop there. Michelle and I went to the different organizations in our ward and asked if anyone there would be willing to donate things as well. The response wasn’t exactly overwhelming, but several sweet church members sent us things like holiday decorations and handmade knitted hats. By the time the day of the sale arrived we’d acquired a good load.
I have to admit I’ve never put together a yard sale before. We put up tables (borrowed from Grandma and Grandpa, thank you so much), set up brightly colored signs, and organized everything as best my feeble mind could manage. To my eyes it made a rather grand display.
Michelle and I were doubly blessed by an unexpected donation – that of time. Michelle’s best friend and her sister, as well as their mother, came to help us out. Of course, the girls eventually found themselves entertaining themselves in the backyard for a while, but their mother, Carol, stayed with me for a solid seven hours.
Customers varied in number. We sold a lot of little things like children’s books and clothes, as well as larger things like a fake tree and some nice serving dishes. Most of our wares we ended up donating to the local thrift store. All in all it turned out to be a fun experience.
Encouraging our kids to do something outside of their comfort zone can be exhausting work, but utterly worth it. Let them be the one to take the reins, when possible. It’ll make the project more about what they want to do (within reason of course), instead of what you want, and odds are they’ll ask to do something like it again.
All in all Michelle’s yard sale took in just over $100. All of it was donated to our local children’s hospital where it was graciously accepted.
Not too shabby for a nine-year old with an idea.