One of my favorite quotes about children is:
"It takes a village to raise a child." This is an old African Proverb that means that everyone that is involved in a child's life has to take responsibility to help care for that child and to guide that child in the right direction.
One of my favorite books is called Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe. I love this book because it was one of the first books that I saw that was about African American girls. For many years I didn't get to see books that related to my culture. I also did not get to see African American girls depicted as beautiful. This book allowed me to experience this in a wonderful way.
One of my most favorite stories about one of my students is:
This little boy had left to start kindergarten. His new teacher was impressed about how much he new and how prepared he was. The teacher was discussing with his mother how she wanted to move him into a more advanced reading group and maybe even put him in 1st grade. The little boy's mother stated that she wanted to think about it and check with his preschool teacher 1st and the little boy stated how he was that smart because of Ms. DeWana. The fact that the mother wanted my opinion on how her son would do even after he had left my class and that the little boy credited his success to me was amazing. I knew then my value to the entire family and vowed to always remember that what seeds you plant will continue to grow if they are cared for.
DeWana...The proverb you chose is also one of my favorites. I often fear parents today see themselves as the only one who should be able to influence their child's behavior or don't believe they have to teach their child behaviors that allow them to live peacefully in the village. That rules are for everyone else and manners don't matter.
ReplyDeleteDeWana, I love that proverb too. It is almost non heard of now days though. I agree with Michele's comment that parents today see themselves as the only one who should be able to influence their child's behavior. However, when their little Johnny gets in serious trouble they are quick to point the finger or then they want your help.
ReplyDeleteMufaro's Beautiful Daughters is such an amazing story with many messages throughout the story. It is great when we can read stories that have characters that look like the audience.
ReplyDeleteDeWana,
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you chose. It indeed does take a village! Most people don't realize that it is a child's very first teacher who will make impact on he or she will view school. I know it must have made you proud to hear those words from him! Atsuch a young age he already knows that he is smart! :-)
"It Takes a Village"...is one of my favorite quotes. I believe this because it takes parents, schools, church and community to pour into the lives of children.
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