peer relationships...

In Denmark, Kindergarten is a time of teaching kids how to make and be friends. I like this!! Lakewood preschool touches on this a little but mostly they teach classroom obedience. Friendship skills are taught mostly at home.
I have been observing the kids in a public first grade class and they seem to be all about showing their favorite toy and bragging about how fast they can run and one - upping each other. If all goes well it can create a healthy competition. At first its kind of cute, but in reality if we let it go this way, kids would never experience true friendship of Sharing, caring, including all friends in thier play time, and most of all encouraging and supporting each other. I witnessed things like " IF you sit by her I won't be your friend" and " I will tell the teacher if you don't let me use your highlighter" (of which she had one and didn't want to waste hers) In this case sharing should not be expected. WOW is all I have to say about that!! Where is the respect for others! It was all about using other people to get what she wanted at all cost !! A 6 year old may not know exactly how to respond to comments like this. This may be the first experience a child has for frinedship in school. IF you haven't guessed already, Kira came home crying one day because she is stuck sitting next to this criticism and manipulation every day!! What is a parent to do!! I have met the parents and shared their concern for their daughter! As parents we are given an instruction book on parenting~the Bible. Some chose to use it and others need to be kindly guided to use it. I know all kids can say things they don't realize will hurt someone and apologize and grow from it and that is our ultimate goal. Loving your neighbor as yourself is not a common household verse these days. We as parents have the most control over teaching our kids what is acceptable behavior. We encouraged Kira that she is wonderfully made with God given talents. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is a golden rule and must be followed to glorify God in our friendships. Standing up for yourself is important and we really can overcome evil with good!