Letter To Your Younger Self
Guest User
Mike Brown is a well-known writer, thinker, and cultural critic. He is dedicated to all matters affecting Early Childhood Education (ECE). Mr. Brown writes pieces for Exchange Magazine, one of my favorite ECE publications. At a recent conference, Clearing Pathways to Leadership, Joy and Equity in ECE, Mr. Brown asked participants to write a letter to their younger self. This practice serves as a thoughtful and welcoming invitation to be present with our children and with ourselves.
I find that we all cherish our fondest memories from childhood and seek times to share our stories. These experiences have made us who we are today. If you were to write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? After reading some beautiful examples, including Mr. Brown’s letter to his younger self, I felt inspired to write my own and to share it with CCEP.
“Once upon a time, there was a little girl with red curly hair and blue eyes. She loved to swim in the ocean and pool, and especially cherished the time playing with her dad at the beach. This little girl also loved playing and taking care of dolls. They were treated as real babies, receiving so much love and care. She was full of hope and curiosity and dreamt of the days when she would become a mother.
Through the years, as this child’s story unfolded, life brought times of joy, excitement, friendships, disappointments, celebrations and uncertainty. She was brave and optimistic and understood that helping others gave her energy and purpose. She made a lot of mistakes, struggled with math and reading due to a learning disability. She had to work hard to understand and learn things that seemed to be much easier for her peers.
This little girl learned to work hard and to play hard, and to enjoy both equally as much. She remembers how much she was loved and nurtured by her parents, friends and family. When she reflects on her childhood, she remembers the joyful moments, the laughter, the freedom to explore and that her interests were accepted and nurtured. ‘’
We are all a part of a child’s unique story. Every interaction, every kind word, every time we show up for a child, it matters and makes a lasting impact. You were once a child, and your story matters.