What You Can Learn

Lucky me!  I am a substitute teacher.  This fall I have had the blessing of working primarily with children with disabilities.  And this is what I've learned by observing them:

If someone hurts you, tell them that they hurt you, and if they don't apologize, tell someone who will sympathize with you.

If you want to play with someone, ask them if you can play.  If they say "no", then find someone else to play with.

Don't worry if you can't play ball very well.  You can find someone else who will still want to play it with you.

It's okay to sit and watch others if that is what you want to do, but if you want to get up and play, then do that.

Be nice to others, and if they aren't nice back, then find someone else and be nice to them. 

This post is prompted by one student in particular who I've been working with.  He is always nice to other kids.  He will walk up to someone he doesn't even know and say, "Can I play with you?" and almost always they say "yes".  And if they don't he turns around and finds someone else to ask.  He isn't super good at any particular sport, but every recess he finds someone who will play with him, regardless of his skill.  Sometimes he is content to sit and watch.  Sometimes he gets up and asks to play.

I have been impressed by this student's perseverence and positive attitude. I think we would all be much happier if we were more honest with ourselves and others.  If we just asked, if we gave people the benefit of the doubt - that if we ask them, they will probably say yes.

I'm going to work on this more.  I often wish I had someone to do something with, but I rarely call anyone and ask, because they are probably busy, they will probably say "no".  Actually, I learned this.  I used to call people, but I did get a lot of "no's".  But after watching this little kid I've realized it's okay, I can just call someone else.  Or, I can make plans for a future date if my friend can't play when I call. 

It's amazing what you can learn, if you just observe.