Life isn’t always easy, and many of our children
(unfortunately) know that already. But one of the things we here at Head Start watch
them learn to do – very quickly, actually – is to turn to each other for help.
Sometimes that help is cleaning up a mess; or sharing watercolors at the easel;
or just waiting their turn.

We adults, of course, have learned that real help in
difficult, scary times comes from friends who are – you know – just there.
Just their presence, sometimes, is all we need to summon the faith to leap
ahead. Isn’t it good to see this child – whether she grabs the bar or misses it
– summon from her friends the courage to lean forward irrevocably into space?