Today I was at the park with a child I care for, and on our way to the bathroom he spotted two children with squirt guns and said he wanted one. Seeing their (somewhat bewildered) looks, I told him they didn't want to give one of their guns to him, and we kept on walking.
When we emerged, there were the two children again waiting for us. The oldest, who couldn't have been more than 10, spoke first. They had a third squirt gun, he said, and not only could the child I care for play with it, but he could keep it. And then the three of them proceeded to run around spraying each other with wild abandon. It was a great afternoon.
I took two morals from this run in. One, though it may be said that children can be cruel, we should never forget that they can also be very, very kind. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that there really are nice people, children and adults alike, in the world.
And two, I need to buy some squirt guns. Great sensory fun, exercise, and social interaction facilitation all in one little package! And if I ever see those children again, you can bet that we'll be returning the favor.
-Creigh
When we emerged, there were the two children again waiting for us. The oldest, who couldn't have been more than 10, spoke first. They had a third squirt gun, he said, and not only could the child I care for play with it, but he could keep it. And then the three of them proceeded to run around spraying each other with wild abandon. It was a great afternoon.
I took two morals from this run in. One, though it may be said that children can be cruel, we should never forget that they can also be very, very kind. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that there really are nice people, children and adults alike, in the world.
And two, I need to buy some squirt guns. Great sensory fun, exercise, and social interaction facilitation all in one little package! And if I ever see those children again, you can bet that we'll be returning the favor.
-Creigh
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