I started thinking recently about children and how they begin to share their unique opinions about things – about likes and dislikes, about rather this or that.
I remember doing this – kind of like a game – with children – and I was always surprised by the power of it.
It would be simple questions.
Would you rather eat a piece of cake or a cupcake” Would you rather go to a movie or stay home and read a book? Would you rather give a speech or write a paper? Would you rather play hop scotch or kickball? Would you rather take a shower or a bath? Would you rather go on a bike ride or take a hike?
The power comes from being asked – and then being listened to. In my memory, I recall some children changing their answer after hearing a friend choose another.
Over time though – they learned that different answers are personal, and they don’t have to be the same as your best friends.
Yet you can still be best friends.
It’s a good start – a positive fun way to empower a child’s choices to be his/hers and to recognize that we can have different opinions, likes and dislikes, yet still value each other as friends.
Never too early to learn that!
