What Does it Mean to be Kind?
At this age, the children want to be friends with everyone; they want those meaningful connections with everyone in their community, otherwise known as the Flying Squirrel group. Children at any age have their "best friends" and are learning to navigate the different relationships present in their lives. As they have grown older, the teachers have open conversations with the children about these relationships and how they can interact with their friends and community. This means having discussions about more complex emotions children might be experiencing at this age.
The teachers provide extra materials to spark discussion with the children. Their newest book, What Does It Mean to Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio, encouraged the children to go more in-depth on how to interact with those around them. The teachers discuss with the children how they feel socially and emotionally connected to their peers, asking the basic question, "What does it mean to be kind?" This is a big topic of discussion in the Flying Squirrel Group as the children form friend groups and are also learning about their own feelings and the emotions of those around them. Even at this age, the children can give many examples of kindness, from basic kindness like giving gifts to even more significant acts of service like letting someone go in front of you in line, even when you always want to be first. “When we pose the question, ‘What is kindness?’ the children already have examples of what kindness is, but implementing those examples and practicing them is different,” said Lead Teacher Dianna.
Kindness goes hand in hand with navigating relationships for everyone, not just the children of the Flying Squirrel group. As adults, we know that being kind to everyone is a basic aspect of our humanity, but the children are still navigating this concept. They are learning that even though someone may not be their friend, that does not mean they are undeserving of kindness. Lead Teacher Dianna and the other Flying Squirrel teachers have taken on the task of teaching children about these innate concepts before the children leave the CEC and move onto elementary school.
"As they transition to Kindergarten and leave us, they are learning to self-regulate their emotions and also to perceive and evaluate the emotions of those around them; it's one of the best parts about being a teacher here at the CEC and to give the children these essential life skills," she said.
One of the core values of the CEC is Kindness, and an integral part of our culture is to teach the children acceptance, love, and respect for everyone they encounter. They carry on these skills for the rest of their lives and become wonderful members of society because of their start at the CEC.
