The Child Who Touched My Heart

About 2 years ago, I met this little boy named John. John was 2 years old and had never attended school before. John was a very frightened little boy who was very attached to his pacifier. Pacifiers and bottles where not allowed in my classroom but I had made the choice to work with John. Johns parents wanted me to assist them with helping John wing off of his pacifier. Everyday I would talk to John explaining to him that BIG boys did not need pacifiers at school and he was not in agreement. After about 4 months of working with John, he started to become comfortable with his peers and teachers. John began to trust my word that he was a big boy and no longer needed his pacifier. One day John handed me his pacifier to lay on the counter. It was the most precious moment. John had finally trusted me with securing his pacifier. Each day for about 1 month, John would hand me his pacifier and I would place it on the counter where he could visibly see it. Finally, on a Monday morning John told me that his pacifier was yucky and he did not like it anymore. John and I placed the pacifier into the trash and it was a wrap. This showed me that educators are able to reach children if they invest the time and patience into their lives. I often wonder how would John had felt if I would have forced him to leave his pacifier with his mom or not use it at school at all. He may have been scarred from my unhealthy choice. I am grateful to have the spirit of love. Each child is different and unique. We as educators must be equipped with the tools that will allow us to be effective in each individual child's life. I am proud to say that John, his parents, and I have a very close relationship. Even though John is no longer in my class, I remain in contact with him and his parents. His mother says that John has a picture of me on his bedroom wall. I believe I made a difference in John's life.