a moment of brilliance

Setting the stage:
Grownups are really good at staying in line and following the leader.  Instead of thinking for themselves.  Instead of noticing the lunchroom full of kiddos trying to clean up their tables and get out the door.  Instead of offering to help or I don't know move out of the way! 

Instead the 50 plus grandmas and grandpas decided to stand in a lineish spread out across the front of my lunchroom, out the door and up the stairs that we need to go up.  Stairs by themselves are challenging enough.

Have you ever tried wrangling a 5 two year olds through a crowd of very tall, much older grownups?  Let's just say it's not pretty.  We put on our best smiles and said Excuse Me!  very, very loudly and kinda just pushed our way through.

But in the midst of this scene there was a moment of brilliance.  A moment of This is why I teach.  A moment of wishing moms and dads could be here to witness instead of all the very tall, very older grownups in our way.

The problem:
We needed to get a bucket full of sponges and soapy water back to the front of the lunch room.  Past where the line of grownups were congregating.
       On a normal day our odds of dropping the bucket and watching soapy water run across the 
       floor are about 20%.  That is once a week we spend a few extra moments and use a few 
       extra towels cleaning up.  What do you think the odds are today with our tangle of grownups 
       to navigate past?


The solution:
Alright oldest/most responsible kiddo at the table, it's your turn to carry the bucket!  You see all those grownups (that are still in your way)  I want you to hold the bucket very carefully, put on your biggest smile and say Excuse Me!  really really loudly.  They'll move out of your way so you can go through (finger's crossed that they have their hearing aids turned up)  Be brave, you can do it!

She nods very seriously and picks up the bucket ready to embark on the mission.  She takes 2 steps and turns back, eyes full of tears.
     My tummy is nervous


The moment of brilliance:
Her best friend sees her tears and jumps up to help.

He holds her elbow and they begin walking together, just like the lil old grandpas and grandmas that are causing our problem at the front of the room.  Slowly they navigate through the treacherousness line of grownups smiling and chanting Excuse Me!  Excuse Me!

The bucket makes it back to its location and I breathe a sigh of relief.

The kiddos come running back to our table faces flushed with pride over what they accomplished.  High Fives for everyone!  Bucket Carrier:  I'm so proud of you, you were so brave!  Best friend- I'm so proud of you, you saw a friend who needed help and you helped her!  You both are so brave!


This is what I want to teach my toddlers.  That you can be brave.  You can take a deep breath and do scary things.  And if the situation is too scary- look to your friends for help.  Moms and Dads and Teachers won't always be around.  Rely on your friends.  And if you see a friend who is scared- jump up to help them.  Be brave!  Be a good friend!