Educating 120 street-working children in Cambodia

Parents as well as some child caregivers often refer to certain children as being stubborn, as if it's not a good trait. In my opinion it can be a trait you want to nurture. Nurture in a way that that stubbornness morphs into persistence, which is seen as a positive trait. 

At Lotus Kids’ Club we over the years have had our share of ‘’stubborn’’ children. These are the children that present us with challenges but make us better at our job. One particular little guy displayed that trait early on. His two older brothers attended our preschool/kindergarten program, and they would return to our all ages Afternoon Community Program regularly. They began to bring along their 3-year-old brother. To say he was energetic is an understatement. And to make him all the more challenging he had an engaging smile. 

At a little over 3 years old when asked to stop throwing sand or to stop using a toy inappropriately he was one, perhaps the only child, we had to send back home as he refused to listen. As I said he was persistent in his behavior. The teachers at LKC now know that persistence, if channeled correctly, can be a positive attribute. Nevertheless when he entered our p/k program the teachers were tested by his behavior. 

Persistence is something that is wonderful to see in that primary school child who doesn't give up on a homework assignment, a math problem or when trying out for a spot on a soccer team. Not so wonderful when that preschooler doesn't stop playing when it's time for circle time or time to stop to have lunch. So the challenge is how to keep that persistent attitude strong in that child yet have him learn there are rules and limits to his behavior. Not an easy task. 

This child, though persistent in whatever he chose to do, also had trouble focusing for long periods of time—it seems a contradiction, I know. His persistence was displayed as “I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.” A good piece of the work with him entailed helping him to focus and of course to understand that others’ needs were to be considered. 

We discussed methods to help him, tried different approaches and never gave up as we believed this was a bright child and we could help him direct that energy and ‘’stubbornness’’ into something positive. We are coming to the end of him being in our program for two years. It wasn't easy and teachers probably gained a few gray hairs but he will be entering primary school in the fall as probably one of the more helpful children that school will see. I imagine that dreaded trait of stubbornness or rather persistence will carry him through school and his persistent drive will carry and serve him well in life.    

Kudos to the Lotus Kids’ Club teachers!