Life's Lesson
Posted: November 17, 2008
Life has taught me the value of friendship. As I look back and note all of the friends that have crossed paths with me, I know that I have been very fortunate. The friends that I have had during my life have all contributed something to make my life a little better and me a better person. Many of these friendships have been developed through my participation in the public system.
Schools are a perfect setting to teach young children about friends and friendship. From the playground, to the lunchroom, to the classroom, children interact with other people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
By associating with classmates, children learn the important skills that form the foundation of friendships: sharing, communicating, and cooperating with others. Most importantly, children learn to solve problems with others who may think differently than them. By interacting with an array of different personalities, children learn acceptance, tolerance, and patience. They learn important social skills and appropriate behavior.
As children mature into adolescents, they begin to discover friendship. They start to understand that friendship involves a long-term relationship where friends share mutual trust and respect. They find support, encouragement, and understanding from people who care about them. Sometimes, they also learn the painful lesson that not all people value friendship or treat others as well as they should. While these experiences can be painful and difficult, they help adolescents learn to value those true friends who are honest, trustworthy, and dependable. Developing friendship is an important part of healthy social development.
Learning to interact positively with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs can be one of the most valuable, life-long skills a child learns at school. If perfected, it is a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives.
By: Colleen Johnson, Principal, Paul Elementary School