“Turn This World Around for the Children” - Raffi

Lyrics
We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
for the children - turn this world around
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
for the children - turn this world around

Turn turn turn, turn this world around - for the children
Turn this world around

The dreams of our young ones born into this world
Need respect and love to come alive
Honoring the children is what we’re here to do
Now is the hour and we’ve got the power to

If every nations’ leaders put their children first
Care and provide for every child
Each and every household could sing a song of joy
All round this planet, a new light within it could bridge
And the children sing: help our light to shine
May we all be fed, may we all be loved
May the elders here open up their hearts
To this song of ours, may they do their part
May our dreams unfold, may we find our place
In a healthy world, embracing every race
May we all be free, may we live in peace
Hear the children sing, hear us sing
Turn turn turn, turn this world around
for the children - turn this world around …

Tonight, driving home, I was listening to this song.  I’d heard it a few years back, and loved it.  But it didn’t hit me the same was as it does today.  Earlier today I had empathy, and felt a pain in my heart for the children.  My child, the neighbor’s children, my son’s school mates.

My guess is that we all want to turn our world around for our children.   But who has time?  We’re so busy.  Busy lives, work, school, cooking cleaning, never a break.  We can’t even turn our schedules around, never mind the world….
And when I say that, part of me believes it, but the other part doesn’t because I know we can all make a difference.  Sometimes I’m so scared to make a difference in the world.  But why should I let my fear and selfishness stop me from changing children’s lives.  Or making a difference for someone.

I’m so blessed with a good life.  I have a lot to give and I’m going to start focusing on giving it.

If anyone has thoughts about this, I would like to hear them!

P.S.  Go out and get yourself a copy of “Turn this world around.” By Raffi it’s from the album Resisto Dancing.

This is part 4 of a 5 part series, to see the previous post T.V. Shows for Your Toddler, The 5 Best Age Appropriate, #3 Sesame Street click here.

(These shows are not listed in a particular order).

#4 Barney And Friends

Barney is a controversial figure in children’s television. Either parents love him, or they don’t.  Some parents find his upbeat and positive attitude irritating.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of Barney.  I see his happiness and joy as something the world could use more of. Barney is positive, kind, generous and never says a mean thing.

If more people were like Barney, the world would be a better place, and everyone would be much more kind and loving to one another.
Parent’s main concern over Barney’s positivity, is that by watching Barney their child will somehow be put in an unrealistic positive bubble.  Don’t worry parents, have no fear, as that’s not likely to happen.  One hour a day or a week of Barney is not enough to influence your child into a comatose positive state.

Research shows that children need positive re-enforcement early on, as later, when they venture out into the world it helps them meet any challenge that comes up. Introducing little ones to stresses of life and cynicism early on only promotes low self esteem and fear.

Interesting Barney Trivia:

• Did you know that Barneys full name is Barney T. DINOSAUR.
• Did you know that Barney’s favorite bread is pumpernickel.
• Did you know that Barney and friends has been on the air since 1992.
  Studies conducted at Yale show that Barney and Friends is very educational for pre-schoolers.
  

Please Check out Wikipedia for more interesting facts about Barney and Friends on Wikipedia.

Lately I’ve been having discussions on homeschooling and trying to protect little ones from exposure to negativity from the regular school system. Many parents feel that by protecting children with homeschooling or sending them to school later children aren’t prepared for the “real world” and end up in a “bubble”. 

The idea that children need to be socialized at 2, 3, 4 and even 5 is absolute hogwash and baloney. 

It’s CRITICAL to protect and nurture our young ones as much as possible. The world is a harsh enough place as is and introducing them to obnoxious or harmful behavior early is no way to foster esteem.   Children learn by example and by putting them in daycare and school at a young age is not an answer to socialization. 

Many children have very difficult and abusive home lives, and with the large ratio of kids to teachers there’s no way for care givers and teachers to regulate what’s going on. And other children’s issues and projections are often going to be transferred onto our children. That’s just the way it is. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with parents doing their very best to prevent this from happening. 

For parents that NEED to send their children to daycare or school early, that’s OK, and there’s no need to feel guilty.   Though, if you do have the option of keeping your child at home OR ARE sending them to school to give them a dose of the “real world” please think again. It may do them more harm than good. Your child will get a large dose of reality soon enough, introducing it too soon is not an enhancer of any sorts. 

Research reveals children don’t need to be socialized at 2, 3 and 4. If you observe a daycare for the day you will see that it’s often riddled with conflicts. Young children don’t have self control and there’s often more conflict over toys than actually playing. 

Instead of focusing on “doses of reality” we need to focus on a better world, and that may include controlling our child’s environment. Just like not allowing teenagers to go to nightclubs before they’re ready. It’s the same with young ones.