What languages do you speak?  When working with kids, there are exponential subgroups from which to choose – toddlers, tweens, hyper boys, babies, and the ever-so-scary-and-dramatic, teenage girls.  I feel confident many problems between adults and children arise simply because we don’t understand the vernacular of our kids.  This problem becomes more pronounced as we get older.  (I, for example, am a digital immigrant, whereas today’s youth are digital natives.)

Did you know it’s Pentecost Sunday? This is a day we celebrate in the church when language barriers were lifted and all understood the message the apostles were preaching.  If it were only that easy.  I think the best solution right now is to remember that communication comes through both words and behaviors.  “My brain is full!  Everything keeps changing!  I need a break!”  Can’t you relate?

As summer begins to dawn, look beyond the words and behaviors and try to be understanding.  For me, the best way to do this is to talk less and listen more.  I take the Canterbury Tales approach and spend a great deal of time observing.  It always amazes me what I learn about others, and how my perspective of them changes, when I do.