Everything a kid tells you is important.
You may not think it’s important, but to that kid, at that moment, it’s the most important thing in their world.
We as adults have, over time, developed a filter called: “THE STUFF IMPORTANT TO ME” filter. And we react accordingly. If someone tells you something that is interesting to YOU or in some way creates a commonality – YOU naturally react with genuine interest. YOU react with attention. YOU react because YOU actually care.
But when someone tells you something that you have no interest in, you may try to react as though you care – because you don’t really want to offend the person trying to tell you something. But you’re not really listening, are you?
When that child walks up to you and shows you his loose tooth… this is a big deal – no wait! It’s a BIG DEAL! When she tells you that it was her birthday yesterday… it’s a BIG DEAL! When a kids tells you that his family is taking him on vacation to “Happy World”, it’s a BIG DEAL! When she explains that her dog is lost… it’s a BIG DEAL! When they point to their new shoes… it’s a BIG DEAL! You all know what I’m talking about. It happens all weekend long… and that’s a good thing!
But, how many times have you had one of these experiences only to usher that child to his seat and tell him politely that he can tell you later? After all, it’s time to start class, right.
To a child, you may be the most important person in their world at that moment that needs to know this information. Your reaction will determine their significance at that very moment in THEIR WORLD. And if you’re the one who made them feel significant at that moment, you have earned their attention from that moment on. Try it – I promise, it works!
Turn on your listening ears the next time you’re with kids and Be blessed
