I love mornings. The tables under the pavilion are littered with games, a few kids cup-stacking, a gaggle working the Rubics snakes. Personally, I like to find a kid who’s never been to camp before and I Etch-a-Sketch a portrait of them. It’s imperfect, ridiculous, but has a friendly intent, and it provides five or so minutes to talk and listen to their story. There are usually a couple of kids pounding on pogo sticks, working their hardest to jackhammer the bike path to pieces, and a herd of sporty kids is always involved in a whiffleball or a soccer game. And I’m honestly surprised that we haven’t carved a deep-groove in the paved path from all the kids who just can’t pedal enough laps around the park. If you look carefully, there are seven leaders spread evenly among the crowd, engaging with kids, keeping the fun going, playing along, giving high fives, and introducing new friends into the mix. This is not an accident. Our primary mission is to engage with kids, and it starts first thing in the morning, making them feel seen through authentic play right from the beginning.
In her book, The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama shares my belief, that each first interaction with a child sets the tone of a relationship. “When a kid walks in a room, your child or anybody else’s child, does your face light up? That’s what they are looking for… When we are given a kind start, when another person greets us with unfettered gladness or trusts our ability to succeed, it can have a lifting sort of effect. When someone is happy to see us, we get a little steadier on our feet.”
I remember one very specific morning, dropping my son off at pre-school. I stopped my car in Ms. Mare’s driveway, helped Wylder out of the back seat, and as he strolled through the gate, a backpack bigger than himself bouncing with each step, his teacher, Ms. Tracy, walked out the front door, arms wide open. “Wylder, I am so glad you are here!” She wrapped her arms around him, and they walked through the open door together, out of sight. In that moment, I experienced a wave of calm, ease, gratitude. I drove away into my busy day knowing that my most precious fella was safe, seen, and appreciated. Oh what a difference a greeting makes!
From the moment kids walk into the park, they are greeted by name, with a smile, among friends. Kids are at their bravest on Monday mornings, when the playing field is uncertain. Will I know anybody? Will my best friends be there? Will people be nice to me? Will I have a place to settle in, or will I feel isolated and awkward? Monday mornings, and all mornings really, are all about breaking the ice. Recognizing every kid, seeing what captures their attention, introducing them to new people, finding a place where they feel comfortable. We want kids to feel safe, welcome, and included from the moment they hop out of the car. In this inclusive environment, bonds are formed, new friendships emerge, and we become one community built of so many brave, unique, and wonderful individuals.
I remember one very specific morning, dropping my son off at pre-school. I stopped my car in Ms. Mare’s driveway, helped Wylder out of the back seat, and as he strolled through the gate, a backpack bigger than himself bouncing with each step, his teacher, Ms. Tracy, walked out the front door, arms wide open. “Wylder, I am so glad you are here!” She wrapped her arms around him, and they walked through the open door together, out of sight. In that moment, I experienced a wave of calm, ease, gratitude. I drove away into my busy day knowing that my most precious fella was safe, seen, and appreciated. Oh what a difference a greeting makes!
From the moment kids walk into the park, they are greeted by name, with a smile, among friends. Kids are at their bravest on Monday mornings, when the playing field is uncertain. Will I know anybody? Will my best friends be there? Will people be nice to me? Will I have a place to settle in, or will I feel isolated and awkward? Monday mornings, and all mornings really, are all about breaking the ice. Recognizing every kid, seeing what captures their attention, introducing them to new people, finding a place where they feel comfortable. We want kids to feel safe, welcome, and included from the moment they hop out of the car. In this inclusive environment, bonds are formed, new friendships emerge, and we become one community built of so many brave, unique, and wonderful individuals.
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