I recently heard from a colleague I worked with years ago. We both remarked that we were lucky to be teachers when "KIDS" were the most important thing. Here's a little thought for this Sunday...
We used to paint pictures with all the colors in the rainbow.
We'd build castles and birthday cakes in the sand.
We took walks and
looked for feathers, or when it was cold we’d catch snowflakes on our
tongues.
Now we sit and do
worksheets.
We used to play
dress-up. “I’ll be the mommy and
you be the baby.”
We’d build the
biggest skyscrapers in the world with blocks.
Outside we’d run
like wild horses and play boys chase girls.
Now we stand in
formation and do exercises.
We used to talk
and giggle and laugh a lot.
We’d bring our
special treasures from home for show and tell,
And we’d whisper
secrets in our teacher’s ear if she’d promise not to tell.
But nobody has
time to listen to us now.
We used to have
cookies and milk.
Then the teacher
would read us a story.
And then we’d lay down on our rugs and listen to some pretty music.
But now we have to
stay on task and work on our standards.
The teacher used
to hug us and smile when we said or did funny things.
She said we were
so wonderful and creative.
When we got hurt
she’d hold us or rock us until we felt better.
Now she says we
have work to do and mumbles something about a big test.
It’s just not the
same being a little kid anymore.
I guess we’ve got
to be grown up like our parents for a long, long time.
Maybe when I’m
thirty-five I’ll get to finger paint and make snakes with clay.
I’ll do what I
want to then.
We used to play.
We felt special
and important.
We’d sing and we’d
dance.
They’ve taken away
our song.