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Cultivating the Art of Leadership in Kids
What's leadership? To me it's that mysterious,
ethereal energy that motivates a person to rise
above others, to assess a situation, and then act
and take charge. (There are those who just watch the
parade, there are those who join the parade, and
then there are those who lead it.) |
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Leadership begins to
sprout at a very young age. Leaders and followers
show their colors early on. If, in the presence of
children, you use every opportunity to point out
examples of leadership and good sportsmanship, you
may feel that the children are not listening or
understanding, but it's amazing how positive tidbits
of someone's actions will be remembered by children
and become a permanent part of their memory bank.
Children like to remember
good things, such as times when their own actions deserved
special praise, or even how when someone else's deeds were
praised, it reflected glory on them too. They want to be like
the people who merit praise. |
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Although a child is not going to understand leadership unless it
is explained, a young mind quickly absorbs the fact that a
leader is a person who makes things better in the world. An
adult has to drop that seed of wisdom in young minds and keep
reminding them of it. The concept may very well be enough to
keep a child strong in the face of peer pressure. The idea of
being of genuine use to his world can seize a child's
imagination and help him cling tenaciously to moral values when
the resolve and values of those around him are less motivated
are fraying.
It is important to make a child feel excited about life's
possibilities, about the roles of leaders and even the
possibility of leadership for him in his own life. If you hear
enthusiasm about this in a young voice, stop and listen! Then
encourage the passion you hear.
Juliana Hoewing, Principal
Madrone Elementary School
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