Although it’s only a few sentences and some adorable images, the overall message from Christian Robinson‘s book, You Matter, speaks louder than words.
Right off the bat, I was impressed by the design on the front cover depicting a diverse group of children coming together for one shared experience: getting the rainbow parachute to rise. It’s nostalgic and reminds me of my favorite days in gym class, when I’d be smacked in the face with multicolored fabric and the strong smell of nylon. Looking back now, I see how the process of getting that parachute to rise was more meaningful than its results -the idea that unity is necessary in order to uphold something beautiful. Like a puzzle, every piece matters.
Easy to follow, the book does a great job of taking hefty concepts and diluting them down to a level that is digestible for children. For example, the book highlights concepts like having to start over again, the loss of a loved one, feeling lost and alone, when it seems others are too busy to help, the feeling of homesickness, and even the feeling that your existence is a nuisance to others. Subtle, yet precise, the text is mainly comprised of a few sentences, each followed by the phrase “you matter,” and I think that is what makes the book so great. Sometimes, that’s all there is to it. Affirmation. That’s all we‘re looking for. Simplicity is often overlooked, but sometimes being straightforward tends to have a greater impact, if we can only see it that way. Instead, for example, as a parent or educator, we might find ourselves going to extreme lengths in a futile attempt to help a “troubled child” who is just seeking affirmation. However, this approach doesn't have to be limited to children, obviously. I write to myself first, as I am guilty of overstepping boundaries when having wanted to help those I care about when all they may have needed was for me to let them know that they matter. While I acknowledge that mental health is not one entity to be packaged with a “single-solution” tape, assurance and letting another know that they matter, goes a long way.
In the same way, If we allow ourselves to be empathetic parents, professionals, and overall community members who understand that each one of us matters, we in turn can instill a sense of self-worth in adolescents from a young age along with those around us in order to foster a culture that values the wellbeing of every individual because every individual, lIke the pieces of a puzzle, is needed to uphold the colorful parachute of togetherness.
Commenti