Today I had the privilege of spending all day with some pre-schoolers, at the school I work for. 
To some of you this sound like a big pile of unwanted mayhem. Too much creativity and high pitched voices, but to me the giggles, story reading, and constant affections are a treat (since I am studying to become a pre-school teacher).


We spend a good period of the day outside on the play ground and in the sand box. Where we create many different types of "sand soup" (chocolate and marshmallow are the most common), and dig for shiny treasure. Everything out here is pretty expected (and when I say expected I mean you ready to hear and see everything unexpected. From the adorable statements to the  hilarious role play). 


But today something actually unexpected happened. As I was walking to and fro keeping my eye on all the little bungalows (my word for kids), an adorable blonde-haired girl jumped in a plastic car (the old school red and yellow one) and began to peddle her way toward me. 
"Well excuse me! When did YOU get a new car?!?" I exclaimed (in my perfect teacherly voice) as I bent down to meet her eye level. 
Instead of the cute giggle I expected, she stared me straight in the eye, held my gaze for about 5 seconds, and said in the lowest, most serious voice I've ever heard come out of a 3 year old.  
"This is my space car,, and I can shoot you dead any second. If I push this red button (the plastic horn) you WILL explode." Without even a smile she kept my gaze, pushed the red button and peddled away. 




If a boy had done this, I wouldn't have even given it a second thought. But since it was coming from the mouth of miss pig tails held with red ribbons, I just looked at her wide-eyed, trying to muster up something teacherly to say. I just laughed and thought, "where the heck did she pick that up."


Did you know that they children around you, really pick up the things you do, and words you say?


This morning I had a little girl follow me like a shadow and repeat every word I said. It was literally like an echo. 
"Okay it's time to wash our hands before snack."--"Wash our hands before snack!"
"Mmm I love crackers."--"I love crackers!!" She would look at me so excited as she repeated. 


We assume that children don't understand the "grown up" things we talk about, or  hear our negative tone of voices, but they do! And they repeat it! 
Children see. Children do. 
I don't even have younger siblings but as I 'm working with children I 'm learning so much. We have an incredible  impact on who they become. 


"If I push this red button... you WILL explode."