Blogging About Differences In Kindergarten

It's Friday Follow!!! Thanks for stopping by. If you follow my blog, I will return the favor and follow yours. Have a great day. And now, for another adventure in kindergarten!

Every year, I like to have a teddy bear parade and contest centering around a bear theme. We give out blue ribbons for the silliest, the funniest, and the smartest bear just to name a few. One year we had an exceptional array of teddy bears. There were large ones, small ones, glamorous ones, and even some wearing local college team jerseys. We even had an Elvis teddy bear. As the children excitedly entered the classroom with their teddy bears dangling at their sides, I noticed one child's bear was much worn. One arm was  about to fall off and was literally hanging by a few threads. When another child commented, "That is an ugly teddy bear", the child who brought it in replied "I know. But I don't care. I love him anyway! Buddy sleeps with me every night! I can't go to sleep without him."

Since I had begun working in a private Christian school, it gave me an idea for a teachable moment. The children came in  and sat down with their bears for our morning meeting.  I told them that I wold give them each a chance to introduce their beloved bears before we did the calendar. When it came time for the child with the much loved little teddy bear to introduce his, I held it up. "I think D..'s bear might be the way some of us appear to God." I said. "But you know what boys and girls, he loves us even when we are old and worn like D's bear. God doesn't care if we have fancy clothes or a big house or even a brand car. He doesn't care if we are old and wrinkled . He wants us to know that just because someone may not look like us or have as nice a house, we are all precious in His sight." One little girl looked up  and asked  "Does God ever get mad and not love us if we are mean to somebody?" I assured them that He did not but that it hurts His heart. "You mean we NEVER have to be scared that God won't love us?" asked a little boy I will refer to as Sam. Never, I emphasized. "Even if we do something really bad" asked another? I told them that God loves us even then. "I get it! " the little girl replied “Like when we break a lamp and we get scared that Mommy won’t love us, but she still does. My Mom said that some day we will all be in heaven together with God and it is a beautiful place."

Sam looked at her and said " Well, if everybody wants to go to heaven so bad, how come nobody ever wants to die?"

 Anyone have a good explanation that a kindergartner would understand? If you do, please share it with this kindergarten teacher!