A couple of years ago, I was conducting a Reading Is Fundamental book distribution at the Toombs County Head Start Center. A representative from the local newspaper had been invited to the event to educate the public on this special project.
The children, staff, and parents were excited and everything was going as planned. The children were given instructions on selecting their free book, the volunteers were ready to write the children's name in the books the they selected, and the parents were excited that the children would be able to take the book home so they could start their own library and read aloud to them.
All was going as planned. I started the interview with the reporter. However, during the interview I noticed that Glenn had cut into the line. He had put his book with his name in it back on the table and was picking out a replacement book. I excused myself from the reporter, got down to eye level with Glenn, and explained to him that he had already made his choice and his name was in the first book. The program did not allow for children to go through the line a second time. I then gave Glenn back his first book selection and stated that if he still wanted the book that maybe he could select it at the next book distribution.
I then went back to the interview with the reporter. Meanwhile four year old Glenn start crying uncontrollably. Talk about embrassing! I waited until all the children had the opportunity to go through the line to get their book and noticed that Glenn's second selection was still on the table. I picked up the second book and took it to the still crying Glenn. I told Glenn that since he wanted the book that bad that he chould have the book in addition to his first selection.
Glenn stopped crying. On the way back to the central office I pondered if I had done the right thing. Did I teach Glenn that crying would always give him his way? When I got back to the office about an hour later, Glenn's teacher called me. Glenn got up in front of the class and read the second book, "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" to the children all by himself. She reported that the staff were very proud of him and that he beamed with excitment that he knew all the words.
Now, no matter what the rules, if a child wants a book enough that he askes for it, I try to get it for him.