Usually, the heart instruction is done in private, but when the offense is against another student, we model the Mathew 18 principal of going directly to the one who has offended you. Well, this very thing happened in our preschool a few weeks ago. One boy had been treating four others unkindly—waving a fist in their face, saying unkind words, etc. So, all five boys were brought into the classroom where they proceeded to tell the teacher what occurred outside. In the course of resolving this conflict, the teacher distinctly heard all four of the offended boys tell the other that they wanted to be friends with him but did not like how he treated them. They also said they wanted to play with him but wished he would act nicely. The teacher was so impressed with the boys’ heart of loving one another and articulating it to their friend.
This same teacher later had a parent-teacher conference with one of the offended boy’s parents. The parent told the teacher that every day when their son comes home, they ask him how his day was, who he played with, etc. On the day of this incident, the boy had gone home and said he made a new friend that day!
What a joy to see reconciliation and friendships formed at an age where relationships are just beginning. At this age, children do little to deserve the friendship of others, but they extend that friendship so freely. We see in the Bible how Jesus extends his friendship to us and even calls us friend (Luke 5:20), when we’ve done nothing to deserve it, but put our faith in him. We hope all our students would come to know this heart of Christ and be transformed into His likeness, that they would see all people made in the image of God and to extend grace and mercy to them. And, it’s not too early to begin in preschool.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Mathew 19:14
Linda Kawakami
Director of Education Services