Whiz Kidz

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is collecting the wisdom, creativity, and jokes I learn from my students. I’ve especially been in awe of the quotable things kids have been dropping these past couple weeks.

Without further ado, I present to you…

Nuggets of Wisdom from the Nuggets in a Little Corner of Limpopo, South Africa:

“If you’re passionate about something, you’ll just work hard to do it.”

“Moms don’t want to yell, but sometimes we make them.”

“If a rooster lays an egg at the top of a roof, which way will the egg fall?...

…It won’t because roosters don’t lay eggs.”

“Some people, they talk. They’ll tell you that you can’t do something. Then it’s up to you to keep trying and prove them wrong.”

“Use because 3 times in a row in a sentence…

…You can’t begin a sentence with because because because is a conjunction.”

“Respect your teachers and be friendly. If you do that, you will go far in life.”

“Love is all we need.”

Children amaze me. Unfortunately, we as adults often dismiss their ideas and dreams as childish fantasies. Or worse, we discipline and even praise them as if they are pets. We forget that though they are young, they deserve the same basic human dignity and respect as you and me.

Lately, the mistreatment and disrespect of children has been disheartening to say the least. This is not something unique to South Africa. I have seen this in the US as well. There is no need to go into details about this disrespect I've seen and also been guilty of myself. I'll save that for my long phone calls home. However, what I can do is help bring awareness to us supposedly more mature adult folk and advocate for the children whose voices are sadly so easily dismissed from the conversation.

Please, I challenge you to see children as the inspiring humans that they are. Consider how you speak to the young people around you. Condescendence can be felt at any age. Equally, respect and kindness is valued by all of us that identify as human. Kids do need love, patience, explanations, and boundaries. But they certainly could do without belittlement and disrespect.

Tell a kid in your life how awesome they are. Ask them about their day, dreams, fears, and ideas. Really listen. Even if they can't speak yet, listen to what they are showing you. Let them be little, but please, let us all show big respect.

Love,

Caitlin

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." Mark 10:15