I just got home from a High School graduation celebration.There were lots of teens at the party playing basketball in the driveway of thehouse. I noticed one little boy, about 6 years old, watching the older boysplaying ball. His eyes were all aglow and he would laugh when they laughed andcheer when they made a point. It was obvious that this little boy wanted, morethan anything, to be invited to play. He wanted to be a “big kid!”

Watching him reminded me of how much children look forwardto being “big” and older than they are and it also reminded me that we, asadults in their lives, can help them to “feel big.” It is important thatchildren learn early that they are competent and strong… not “just a child,” asis so often communicated to them verb ...