The Wisdom of Fifth Graders

Working with children of all abilities, and training professionals to incorporate accessible mindfulness and yoga practices in their work with children is the why behind YoYo Yoga School. Core values that are foundational to my own practice and work with children and the trainings I offer prioritize human-first and strengths-based approaches. Chatting with a neighbor recently, I was was treated to this absolutely heart-warming story that exhibits these values in a group of fifth graders who are advocating via a platform that utilizes interviews and education. These students are seeking to educate and advocate on behalf of neuro-diverse populations, but I began to think how naturally receptive to all forms of human diversity these young children will become through this work.

Viewing differences as just that, differences, and not deficits, as these children clearly do leads to increased understanding, acceptance, meaningful connections, and stronger communities. As these fifth-graders demonstrate, we have the capacity to be better humans by seeking to understand the challenges others are facing, recognizing and celebrating strengths, and walking alongside and celebrating different ways of being.

https://www.jackbearfoundation.org/events/national-ataxia-foundation-conference-t537t-z8gxl-3r4ls-5rg8e-y52hr-wwerw-s47ak-gd34d-cphra-49teb-jsm6l