As this unusual and uncertain start of the school year begins, my husband and I returned to a manifesto we wrote for how to prioritize JOY in our family life and in our classrooms. We drew on the seven pillars from my book Start with Joy as a guiding framework to help us think about what matters most to us as parents and educators. When we inevitably face personal and professional challenges this year, we know we can return to this to remind ourselves of what we believe and whether we are being true to those beliefs in the way we live, love, and teach. Since we have to start somewhere, we believe we can start with joy.
We believe…
In Connection
-in assuming the best and seeing the good in all people, especially children
-that “please”, “thank you”, and “I’m sorry” are the most important words to make a habit
-that we all seek connection and belonging
-that all children deserve to feel unconditional love at home and in their classrooms
In Choice
-that children can be trusted to make choices about their bodies, their clothing, how they use their time, and what they are interested in
-that having choice and agency is a child’s right
In Challenge
-in instilling a love of challenge as a basis for finding courage
-that having real, authentic challenge is a human need
In Movement
-that our bodies shape our minds
-that movement is a powerful tool for learning
In Discovery
-that feelings of awe and wonder make learning memorable
-that discovering something about ourselves, others, and the world helps build a happy life
In Play
-that everyone–kids and adults–should play more
-that play is always purposeful and educational–even if we don’t know what the purpose or learning might be
In Story
-that we are storytelling creatures who want to be heard, seen, and valued
-that our lives are full of stories
In Joyful Parenting
-that our children should feel unconditional love
-that we are responsible to our children but not for them
-that when we face doubt we can focus on what is simple and sustainable
-that all behavior is a form of communication
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