Our most seasoned teachers at Head Start – some of whom have
taught children in the same little community for 30 years and more – tell us
(repeatedly … (duh!)) that what children need most is a little love: to be held
and hugged and cuddled and stroked and kissed … When kids don’t do well, we
keep being told, that’s why. That’s
why!
So, when kids are
able to do well, we look at the moms and the dads and the brothers and sisters
and the grandparents – we look at the whole family with special affection,
because we know that something good must be at work. Who could doubt the good
things at work here when little Mattie can lay her head so comfortably, so full
of ease, on her mom’s shoulder and stare, so open and trusting, into the
camera?