The Ways of the World
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 08:36PM | Share Article 
Only five per cent of the children in Xining Children's Home don't have special needs. But we have to take special care that we don't ignore the normal needs of all our children. Learning to cope with everyday life in the world outside our Home is essential because that's what they will have to adapt to at the age of eighteen when they will no longer be dependent on the state.
Twelve-year-old Jian and eight-year-old Ying are normal, bright, energetic boys, and like all children they love a day out.
Two of our wonderful volunteers recently treated them out to a whole day at Xining Zoo. Both boys have been to the zoo before, but neither have ever been to the aquarium (there's an additional entrance fee), so this particular day was very special.
On the way in the boys were attracted to the bright spinning tops being sold at the entrance to the zoo. Aquarium forgotten, there were urgent pleas from two little round faces – those fascinating toys simply had to be purchased. With a gentle reminder about the day’s original objective both boys agreed to drop the matter. But in true little boy style, they first managed to negotiate a deal: if they were well behaved, they would each receive a spinning top at the end of the day.
Because it was the first time Ying and Jian were visiting the zoo without the discipline necessary for a large group of children, they had far more freedom than usual - and they took full advantage of it. They ran further away from the adults than they should have and generally got out of hand. They behaved as any excited child would, given their new found freedom, individual attention, and ability to negotiate whenever necessary. If you are a parent you will know exactly what I'm talking about!
When it was time to go home, the boys reminded their carers about the earlier deal re the spinning tops. When they were reminded about their misbehavior, both agreed that good behaviour was part of the original deal, and that they therefore did not deserve rewards. Not only am I pleased that these boys have had this experience, I’m doubly pleased that they handled it with such grace. I like to think they've learned from the staff in Xining Children's Home to act graciously!
Reader Comments (3)
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