How to stay true to ourselves around young children and why it matters: A lesson from Mme Rigolotte.

The wooden Fellows and I often write about the uniqueness of young children, but today, we are turning the spotlight on — drumroll, please — you! Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or anyone caring for a young child or young children, we hope Mme Rigolotte’s reminder of how to stay true to ourselves inspires you—and shows why it matters.

How to stay true to ourselves around young children

Delve into child development

Understanding the stages of child development can help us better recognize who our children are and what to expect from them at different ages. The more we know, the more we can ask questions to the children around us and strengthen our relationship with them, and hence, the more we can respond with patience and empathy, both for ourselves and for our children. We will continue to offer resources to better understand young children and how they grow, including past posts like Making a board game or How to elevate young children’s thinking with buttons!

Explore different parenting and educational practices

There are plethora of approaches related to raising and educating kids, some aligning more to your own value and cultures than others. For instance, behaviorism builds on a response-based approach, while we align more with constructivism, which emphasizes growth through experiences. We also embrace Bronfenbrenner’s framework, and see young children as part of an ecosystem. In other words, not all approaches work for every family. Take the time to explore various parenting styles and educational practices, and find what resonates with you and your child. Trust your instincts.

Realize that social media is not representative of normalcy

The pressure to be ‘perfect’ is amplified online. Remember, what you see on social media is often heavily edited—so step back, take a deep breath, and focus on what truly matters for your family.  Take the time to reflect on what works for you, and trust your instincts.

Reflect on what works for you, and what does not

Why it matters

We are role models to the young children around us

Children are always watching, learning from how we behave, how we react, and how we treat ourselves. By staying true to who we are, we set an example of self-respect and authenticity, teaching them the value of being themselves. It is okay to share our struggles, our joy, our hopes, and show young children how to bounce back from new experiences.

We are in it for the long haul

Raising children and educating are long-term commitments. Although incredibly rewarding, the journey can also be quite  exhausting. By nurturing our own well-being, we ensure we have the energy, patience, and resilience to be there for the long run. And we remind young children of the importance of taking care of themselves as well — see point 1.

We cannot take care of others without taking care of ourselves first

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. To be in the best shape to take care of young children, we must first tend to our own needs, so we can show up for the ones who depend on us with the love, strength, and clarity they deserve. Just like the flight attendants’ reminder to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before helping others, we need to prioritize ourselves to be there fully for the children in our lives.

Wrapping up with an invitation to reflect

So, who are you around young children? Who do you want to be? What values and beliefs do you want to embrace? What’s working for you, and what would you like to change? How can the wooden Fellows and I help you on this incredible journey?

As always, thank you so much for being here.