From the Heart

Her students learned that kindness is more powerful than fear.

A young child learns a valuable lesson.

Ifelt a tug on my jacket and knelt down. “I have to tell you a secret,” the child, a kindergartner named Jeremy, whispered. He admitted that he was afraid of elderly people. I assured him that the folks we were going to visit were kind. The rest of my students were lined up outside the assisted-living center. It was Valentine’s Day and they each held a book with a homemade card inside.

Our two-room country school was taking part in a program called Kindness Counts, and visiting the center was our culminating activity. Each kid had chosen a valentine book and practiced reading it. “Who remembers our rules?” I asked.

A hand went up. “Read slowly and loudly.”

“If you need help, raise your hand. And have fun!” Jeremy tightened his grip on my hand. I squeezed back gently. “Come on. Let’s go make some friends.”

The director led us to a common room and opened the door. Chatter stopped as faces framed in soft gray hair turned toward us, smiling. The harsh lighting seemed to dim beside the warmth of their welcome. “Hello,” they called out, beaming.

After introductions, each student was paired with a resident. We’d been working on fluency strategies, and I was proud to see the children applying them. One beginning reader pointed to the book and said to her partner, “The title of the book is Biscuit’s Valentine’s Day. Look at the cover. Who do you think is the main character?” Her new friend played along.

Too soon it was time to leave, and Jeremy again tugged on my sleeve. “What is it?” I whispered.

“Mrs. Brooke liked her card. She said she’s going to hang it up in her room. And guess what else? I’m not scared anymore.”