[NB]

I agree that the (seemingly) simple gesture of smiling makes a lasting impact on those around you- ESPECIALLY during early childhood. I think of how four year old me viewed my grandparents. One set of grandparents were always laughing, smiling and showing warmth and affection in non-verbal ways. The other set of grandparents were often stoic, unsmiling and my memories of them were cold and harsh. Upon reflection, both sets of grandparents had similar rules, expectations, verbal communication styles, but one was delivered with a warm voice and gentle face expression and the other was delivered in a way that four year old me perceived as scary and uncomfortable.

[Liz]

I agree that when teacher interact with kindness, they make children feel more welcome

[Aisling Bjornlie]

Attitude is everything, indeed. I began wearing glasses in kindergarten and I was too embarrassed to wear them to school because I was the only one in them. My teacher found out what was going on and wore her glasses to school until I felt comfortable enough to do it alone. That act of kindness stayed with me.

[Erin Kostun]

“You’re never fully dressed without a smile!” The difference in my memories of my loving, smiling, 1st grade teacher and my seemingly-scary, 2nd grade teacher who threatened to “pin a tail to [my] behind” because I was telling her that someone wasn’t doing something they were supposed to be doing has stuck with me for early 40 years!

[Julie Westermann]

I too had a warm and caring kindergarten teacher. She was patient and had a smiling pleasant attitude. I try to embody her grace as I substitute in a preschool setting.

[Brittany Meyer]

I have also had positive experiences with teachers who have smiled and asked how I was doing. The simple act of checking in on a child can help them feel loved and taken care of. They will trust this adult to have their best interests in mind and will look to them for comfort.

[Kathleen]

I have found that children can feel the energy of the people around them. When I was younger and saw that my mother was scared or nervous about something, I would also start to feel scared, but if my mother were smiling and happy, I would feel safe.