If everyone could take the mindset my kindergartners had about impacting the people around us in whatever situation we find ourselves, our communities would certainly be better places.
It is fascinating to hear about what young children want to be when they grow up. There is always a wide range of answers, but these answers also usually have something in common. From astronauts to veterinarians, from doctors to policemen, children usually want to become community workers.
In our class alone, we have a future baker, vet, doctor, and policeman. We have been learning about community workers in the kindergarten class, and it should be no surprise that the answers turn out to be so similar. These workers have a huge impact on the community, and they are very visible when we go to a restaurant, get sick and have to visit the hospital, or see policemen handling the scene of an accident.
But do the kids in kindergarten have to wait more than a decade to start helping their community? Of course not! Not only did we talk about how workers help the community, but also how kindergarten students can already impact the people they come into contact with.
It was very encouraging to hear the ideas brainstormed in class about how a kindergartener could be a community worker. For example, one of the students suggested that she could help a person carry a heavy load. Another student said she could comfort a friend whenever something bad happens. If everyone could take the mindset my kindergarteners had about impacting the people around us in whatever situation we find ourselves, our communities would certainly be better places.
~ Cassie
