Small Differences

I know this will come as no small surprise.

So I’ll just put it out there . . .

Boys and girls are different.

I’m not talking the obvious, physical differences.

I’m talking the subtle ‘how-our-brains-work’ differences. Even at a very early age.

And yes, I have a case in point . . .

My daughter teaches three-year-olds. It is an exhausting, aggravating . . . utterly glorious job. Where the rewards are slim.

But totally, totally worth it.

And sometimes realized in unexpected ways.

This past week, her tiny group of little learners was visited by a former class who had now reached the grand and mature age of five.

All of whom were looking forward to their first year of school, beginning this fall. Thus, the topic of future schooling came up. Often.

One of the three-year-olds (I’ll call her Daisy) joined the conversation . . .

Daisy: “I’m going to school this fall, too!”

Teacher: “That’s exciting, Daisy! It’s fun to go to school!”

Daisy: “Yeah! I’ll learn lots of stuff!”

Teacher: “Yes you will, honey!”

Then the teacher turned to the other student in her class, a small boy (how about we call him Gary).

Teacher: “And what about you, Gary? Are you going to school this fall?”

Gary: “Bok! Bok! Bok! Bok!”

Little girl thinking ahead. Little boy totally in the moment. See? Different.

And this also illustrates one of the greatest rewards of working with small children.

The things they say.