Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Columbia: Bethany, week 3

By Bethany Weiler


July 15
This past week was difficult because some of the older children were not behaving themselves appropriately. However, the younger children were very helpful and most of them listened and followed directions well. After lunch one day, we decided to have a trash pick-up activity that we have been planning for a while now but haven’t been able to carry out. It was fun to see the kids really get into the activity and they began some healthy competition to see who could pick up the most trash. We gave them a great deal of encouragement and found that they were eager to get attention from us. The more we noticed and complimented them, the better they behaved and the more trash they picked up. It was a reminder to me that these children not only need a center and school supplies, but they need positive love and attention as well. Whether we are looking for the good in them or the bad, we will find it. Abraham Lincoln said as much. I have found time and again that children (and people in general) live up to the expectations of others. If I treat these children like they are poor and ignorant, that is likely what they will become. But if I look for the good in them and help them to see it in themselves, they will live up to that higher expectation.


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