Month: November 2016

Preschoolers understand gratitude.  As we celebrate Thanksgiving, my students are honest and forthcoming about the objects of their thankfulness.

“I am thankful for Mommy and Daddy.”   Just as adults are thankful for family, children put members of their families at the top of their thankful lists.

“I am thankful for my Uncle Mike.”

“For my brother.”  “For my sister.”

“I am thankful for having two boy cousins.” (This from a boy with sisters)

“For the best Mom & Dad ever.”  “For my whole entire family.”

Of course, high on the family thankful list are grandparents…

“I am thankful for MomMom.”  “For Nana.”  “For Gaga.”  “For Poppy.”

And my favorite, “I am thankful for my Dad’s mom.  Her real name is Grandmom.”

What else is important to a 4- year old?  Favorite toys…

“I am thankful for my super heroes.”  “For my playroom.”  “For my Barbie dolls.”  “For my Paw Patrol.”  “For my fire truck.”

And favorite foods…

“I am thankful for my juice.”  “For pizza.”  “For strawberries.”  “I am thankful for my chocolate ice cream.”

And then there are the very random, very precious comments…

“I am thankful for the chicken that left a feather for me for show & tell on letter F day.”

“I am thankful that we always have the best Christmas.”

“I am thankful for my haircut.”

Thankfulness, appreciation, gratitude.  Sheryl Crowe sings It’s not having what you want.  It’s wanting what you have. (lyrics from Soak Up The Sun)

Being thankful for the big things and for all of those simple things in one’s life.  It would be good to take a lesson from a bunch of 4-year olds.

 

The end of a long, grueling presidential election has many Americans thankful it is over. Leave it to 4-year-olds to bring levity to a vicious campaign…
“Does anyone know what an election is?” I questioned. Jeremy piped up, “It’s when there are signs all over the street with names on them.” Yes, Jeremy, you could say that. To a 4-year-old whose world is literal, this accurately describes “an election.”
We were talking about how great it is to live in America where we get to choose our leaders. When asked what our leader is called, most of the children stared blankly back at me while one lone student correctly stated, “President.”
And who is our president now? “George Washington?” guessed another.
When I held up photos of the two candidates, several of the kids nodded in recognition, saying they saw them on a “television show.” Gary took this further when he remarked, “Donald Trump LIVES ON THE NEWS.” Uh huh, yes he does, Gary.
And speaking of “living arrangements”… We were describing the White House when one little girl told about her family’s visit to Washington D.C. “We went there!” She said excitedly. “We went to Washington to see where America lives! We saw the White House. Jesus lives there!”
Finally, one day many years ago I was informed by a 4-year-old, “Miss Theresa, YOU are the president of our school.”   Well, okay, I humbly accept!