When you were in school did you ever feel like you didn't fit
in? I think everyone feels out of place at different moments throughout their
school years. Did you stay true to who you were/are or did you try to alter
your appearance, behaviors, or interests to be accepted by classmates?
The reason I’ve been thinking about all of this is because of
one special young man,
Colin! Happy Birthday Colin!
https://www.facebook.com/Coliniseleven
I’m sure you have heard of him. His mom
created a Facebook page to show how many people care about him and like him for
who he is. The page went viral and instead of just family messaging him, people
all over the world started checking out Colin’s page and leaving messages!
People sent him encouraging words, cards, presents, and birthday wishes.
I hope that Colin
really gained a lot of self confidence and joy from the page his mom created!
As a kindergarten teacher, I think it is important to start teaching children
at a young age that it is ok to be different! Everyone is different and those
differences make you shine! Who wants to be a boring clone? People should be
valued for their quirks!
Teachers can create a classroom environment where
everyone feels accepted and valued. It takes dedication, modeling, and time to
plan activities & different ways students can practice these values. Some
ideas to incorporate:
1. Bibliotherapy!
Read books that demonstrate different values that you want to instill in your
class. One of my favorites to read when school starts is Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon.
2. Catch kids being good!
I have seen several teachers this year giving out awards to students that are
demonstrating kindness to others. Some schools have assemblies for these types
of awards. Teachers can create their own awards, ribbons, certificates, etc.
3. Involve the students in catching others being good. When I student taught these students caught
being good were called bell ringers. Students can place a note in a jar about
someone being good and they can be read at the end of the day or week.
4. Change up partners.
Are you letting students pick their partners each time? It is amazing the
friendships that can be formed when students have the opportunity to get to
know someone new. I think it is important to have opportunities for children to
work in small groups with different students on a regular basis. Build a
community!
5. There is so much to teach on the academic
level but it is important to take time to do a few activities here and there to
teach about
different values. One of my favorites is Star
Student of the Week. The student fills out an info sheet about
themselves so the class can get to know them. Then the class creates a writing
sample for that child. Each child’s picture goes into a book and is given to
the star student to take home. Children write things they like about that
student. It is such an awesome way to build self confidence and helps students
see the good in people.
I could go on and
on. These are just a few ideas I have done before. Let me know what has worked
for your class or child!
And here is
one of my all time favorite quotes…
“A person’s
a person, no matter how small.”
