Learning Seeds
Keeping with my previous theme of poems for
special occasions for the speech/language pathologist, I wrote this one for SLPs
as the 2011 school year begins. Beginnings are unique and can be scary for all
children, especially those with ASD. When I think of all of the children and
their fears, I also reflect on the parents who put their child in your hands
and those of other professionals. Our responsibility does not stop at the tree of learning-- that is where we
plant our seeds.
Learning Seeds
by Kathie Harrington
One year I'll have this child
To mold and fold as will.
A few days in a lifetime
With dreams of which to fill.
Perhaps he didn't listen
Or say his words quite right.
But maybe as he lay in bed
He thought of them at night.
He remembered all the antics
I used to touch his soul.
If he thought of one at all
I surely reached my goal.
Perhaps his stomach growled
Or a new bruise bit his knee.
Perhaps he dreamt of butterflies
That only he could see.
Yes, one year I'll have this
child
Each day's a precious one indeed.
May I truly make a difference
And plant a learning seed.
My message this week is simple:
- Share
what you know and learn from other professionals, parents/caregivers
- Listen
and acknowledge the words, feelings, faces, differences of all of those
involved with each child with whom you work
- Know
that each child brings his/her distinctiveness into your world
- Share
this poem with teachers, professionals, parents
- And
remember,
"Speech pathologists make good
things happen."