WE WERE ALL KIDS ONCE. SO WHY DO WE KEEP DOING THINGS TO CHILDREN THAT WE HATED WHEN WE WERE KIDS? Remember being embarrassed in class? Being picked last? Feeling invisible? Remember the teacher who made you feel stupid? And the one who made you feel unstoppable? Remember recess, riding bikes, building forts, exploring the woods, laughing with friends, and asking a million questions? WHEN DID WE FORGET WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO BE A KID? 10 THINGS WE NEED TO REMEMBER AND CHANGE: Loved recess? Protect play, movement, and time outdoors. Feared getting answers wrong? Make mistakes safe. Celebrate trying. Had an adult who believed in you? Be that person for a child. Remember being left out? Make sure every child belongs. Hated watching the clock? Make learning engaging, creative, and FUN. Loved exploring and inventing? Give kids freedom to imagine, discover, and play. Remember how HUGE your problems felt? Listen. Their feelings matter. Loved asking questions? Encourage curiosity, not just compliance. Hated when adults wouldn’t listen? Give children a voice and meaningful choices. Wanted someone to be proud of you? Celebrate WHO kids are, not just WHAT they achieve. TO EVERY TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, AND PARENT: Before correcting, remember embarrassment. Before punishing, remember wanting to be heard. Before demanding perfection, remember fearing failure. Before giving up, remember the person who believed in you. LET’S STOP SACRIFICING CHILDHOOD IN THE NAME OF PREPARING CHILDREN FOR ADULTHOOD. Protect their curiosity. Encourage their creativity. Build their confidence. Celebrate their differences. Make learning an adventure. MASLOW BEFORE BLOOM. Connection before correction. Curiosity before compliance. People before performance. KIDS HAVE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES TO BE ADULTS. THEY ONLY GET ONE CHILDHOOD. BE THE ADULT YOU NEEDED WHEN YOU WERE A KID. What’s something an adult did when you were a child that you promised yourself you’d NEVER do to a kid? #MaslowBeforeBloom #LetKidsBeKids #Parenting #MentalHealthMatters