Our children may spend a good amount of time talking about “when friends aren’t so friendly.” As parents, educators, and youth advocates, we are often distressed, even alarmed, by children’s conflicts, bullying, harassment. Does our capacity to celebrate cooperation, solidarity, and connection get lost in the shuffle? Lyn Mikel Brown, author of Girlfighting: Betrayal and Rejection among Girls, emphasizes the importance of making a big deal about solidarity. When we see people working together, accomplishing things as a team, creating something together that could not happen otherwise, it’s cause for celebration. When you see these positive examples, notice it out loud. Put up a bulletin board where children and teens can collect stories and current events that reflect our human capacity to overcome differences, treat each other with respect, and cooperate to get things done.
Music from the Playing for Change project is one example of coming together in positive ways. Join other teachers and youth leaders who are using this music to stimulate discussion and creative vision. To listen to the music or to learn more about Playing for Change, visit their website:http://www.playingforchange.com/episodes
(From the Playing for Change website): Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.
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