What lessons have you learned from a child?

Never underestimate the wisdom of a 4-year-old. Every day I am amazed by the lessons the children in my class teach me.

From the moment my class begins, I am in a constant automatic mode with my preschool eyes, watching everything. I ensure everyone is okay, counting heads, redirecting behavior, coaching mishaps, and catching flying toys.

After many years it becomes a normal day.

This week, a girl in my class looked at me and said, “Miss Suzanne, it must be tough to teach kids.”

I paused and asked her if she thought teaching adults would be different. She replied that they would be easier.

Before answering her question, I thought about what she said. Did my moments on Automatic mode look like my job was hard work? Was I making the class feel as though mistakes were not ok? In addition, She believed my job was hard work, but did she also see caring and love?

When asked if she thought adults were always happy and never cried. If they never got frustrated or upset? Or, could big people learn new things?

The class agreed that “big” people were very similar to them.

I reminded my class that I have always chosen to teach kids.

Children are attuned to our stress, happiness, and fears. They believe that when things go wrong, it is their fault. When sometimes, things are just hard for both children and adults.

That same day, another girl in my class thanked me for teaching her. In return, I thanked her for teaching me. I reminded my class that every day I come to school, I am thankful for my classroom full of amazing little teachers who always inspire me.

What lessons have you learned from a child?