School – Be a Friend
It’s not always easy for young children starting in Preschool or Kindergarten to feel comfortable in a new setting. It is a big step leaving their own home territory, their parents, their toys. Parents can set the tone for what to expect – how to see it as an opportunity to make friends, engage in new activities, and become more independent. It can take time for some children to settle in.
Good teachers set the stage for creating a welcoming community in each class by introducing each child modeling how to help each individual member of this new classroom-family feel safe and valued. I’ve heard three-year-olds in a preschool ask a child standing next to him, “Are you Ok? Can I help you with anything? Can I get you something?” I’ve seen a four-year-old pat a classmate on the back and say, “I like your building you made.” I’ve seen a preschool child who was crying be comforted by a classmate who obviously was feeling more secure.
The key for teachers is to encourage each child to appreciate each other – notice each other’s interests, needs, engage in some conversation, share, encourage, have empathy, be kind and respectful, learn something new from someone, ask someone to join in a game, or help build something.
Shannon Olson’s Our Class is a Family describes how a classroom is a community. A classroom can make each individual feel they belong. They can be respectful and be respected. I think the meaning of thes words ‘friendly’ and ‘inclusive’ are prominent in this rhyming story. Alexandra Penfold’s All Are Welcome is also respectful of diversity in a child’s new school setting. Children are encouraged to find out about each other – we each have a story to tell.
Anne Sibley O’Brien has two companion books introducing children from other countries new to a class: I’m New Here and Someone New. These are perfect books to be shared with a class (even if there is no one from another country). They model how to engage with a classmate who may not speak English but is starting to learn the language. Each finds a talent that can be shared with the class. This takes effort (and some humility) but is important since we are becoming more diverse in our communities and in the world.
I heard an interview on NPR with the author Rene Watson who described books as windows AND mirrors. I like that description. We can find new ideas and we can find ourselves in quality books. We can find new ways to learn and share. We must find ways for children to be empathetic, to value others, to be strong thinkers and doers. Young children are good at this if they’ve had strong role modeling and are encouraged to be thoughtful members of society starting with a young classroom setting. It takes effort, lots of listening, modeling, and encouragement. The rewards are great.