“I Can Help You!”
“I Can Help You!”
These words are often heard around here. And they aren’t being said by myself or Ms. Zoe. Instead, this phrase is being offered by the children to each other. The children are eager to help their friends, whether it is to fasten a button, zip up their backpack, or hold the button for the water spout. There is a genuine desire for the children to assist their classmates when they notice they are struggling. The child will either accept their help or let them know that they would like to do it by themselves. In previous daycare settings that I have worked in, I have heard educators reprimand a child for offering help to another child. “They need to learn to do it by themselves. Don’t help them.” Ouch! This message given to a young child by an adult is just plain mean and wrong. It demoralizes the child who is offering help and it is putting unnecessary stress on the child who is in need of some help.
When children offer their, “I can help you!” they are demonstrating compassion and care. They are also practicing a skill that they have mastered. Children take great pride in helping and we encourage and invite them to help in a variety of ways during their time in our programs.
Helping at Wonder & Awe Forest Play looks like this:
feeding the animals
gathering the chicken eggs
tending to the gardens
organizing the sand toys
putting the tools away
leading the group on a walk
thinking of the next great idea
My invitation to you is to say yes, when your child says, “I Can Help You!” Include them in your daily chores around the house. Invite them to help you put the clothes in the washing machine or sort the clothes as you do laundry. Ask them to help you wash the dishes. Yes, there will be water and soap everywhere, and it will take longer but the connection you are are offering in those moments last. The main idea is to invite your child into the work you are already doing and to thank them for their efforts.
