"When a friend's mood turns stormy
over a mistake made in art,
saying, "That's happened to me before,"
is a great place to start."
The suggestions presented here are a lovely way to get children talking about a variety of scenarios that happen on a day-to-day basis when there are so many interactions throughout the school day. This is one of those days for a diverse group of children who arrive on the bus after crossing a bridge to get there.
"Love is the bridge between you and everything. - Rumi
There are many ways that children show kindness and love for others in their circle of friends. Starting with a warm hello opens a door to happy feelings of being together. Inviting others to join in daily activities gives everyone a place in the classroom; calling out bullies and those who hurt with their words and actions helps with acceptance and building confidence in those who are feeling intimidated; allowing children at lunch peace for prayer is thoughtful and shows respect; and the list goes on.
The more we can do to encourage children to think clearly about their own actions, the more they are willing to discuss what is happening around them. Digital artwork sketches out common occurrences in an early years classroom, and offers help with deciding how to handle certain situations. When kindness is modeled, the classroom climate is one that respects all learners, and makes everyone feel welcome.
Back matter includes a 'Bridge Builder Pledge' that can be copied for each student, an author's note, further bridge builder activities and a useful book list.
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