Youngsters can be inconsiderate when it comes to one another’s names.
Names image: sxc.hu
If it’s an unusual name, they might make fun of it. If an an adult mispronounces it, they may laugh and hurt a tot’s feelings.
I heard one principal handle this very well when youngsters were mixing up two students’ names on purpose. One didn’t mind, but the other was close to tears.
She had a discussion and mentioned the importance of a person’s names. She emphasized that each person’s name is special. This led to a discussion on where the students’ names originated and what they meant.
So they shared whether they were named for a parent, grandparent or other family member. Was that name a special one for mom or dad? Did it have a special meaning when defined? When the discussion was over, the children were proud of their names and realized that each person and their name was special.
I used this same approach in a second grade class when one of the boys was deliberately mispronouncing another student’s name. This led to the students sharing their names and I shared where mine originated, too.
Do you discuss the importance of family names and why you named your children as you did?
Post from: Blisstree