I once heard a children’s message, before the adult sermon given by Pastor, Lal Hmingliani Brown that was very effective in teaching little ones a very important lesson. She handed a child in the group who came forward for the lesson, a banana to peel. Once the child peeled the banana, Pastor Brown asked the child if she could put it back together. The child answered no. Pastor then asked another child to crack and egg into a bowl. When he did, he was asked the same question, “could it be put back together?” and again, the answer was no. The lesson I anticipated being taught was different than I expected, but it was a good one too. The lesson taught was (I’m paraphrasing) “just like you cannot put a banana back into it’s peel or an egg back into it’s shell, you cannot take back hurtful words or actions.” Very true. Also, which was the lesson I was thinking, “once gossip is spoken, it is not easily taken back.”
This is an important lesson anytime of the year, but I think of it as a new school year starts. Children may be making new friendships. As they make new friendships, it’s important to reinforce the idea of being a good friend, not using hurtful words and not to talk negatively about friend behind their back.
Teachers need to keep this in mind as well. Each student gets a chance for a “clean chalkboard.” Kids grow, change and mature over a summer. Give each student to start anew With a fresh start. When I taught school back when a student’s folder was transferred to a new teacher, I purposely did not read the folders for a few weeks. I wanted to have no preconceived thoughts on students. I wanted to give them a chance without me having prior information on them. Everyone deserves that opportunity.
Also, parents are getting to know a new teacher’s routine and people can pass along negative preconceived notions or thoughts about a teacher or another parent. Some of these observations may be warranted and some may not. Gossip is hurtful and harmful. It may be tempting to pass along bad news or the like, but resist the temptation. It’s one thing to offer to step in and help when someone is going through tough stuff and telling another neighbor or friend so you can enlist help to step in where you can. It’s quite another to just pass along the info, which may or may not be true, and not be willing to lend a helping hand. Your kids are watching and listening. They will learn from your actions. Take an opportunity for a teachable moment when you observe hurtful behavior or gossip to discuss why this is a bad thing and how you can turn things around. As last week’s blog post had a theme of, watch what you do and say, As Barbra Streisand sang, “Children Will Listen,” from “Into the Woods.” It’s a Great Day 🍎
