Those often embarrassing yet teachable moments...

 Last summer being on vacation my with my children and a friend and her children, we were walking the strip of the city. There were all types of people. We saw several homeless people. It seemed that each corner we turned we saw a homeless person. My friend's son is five and he says "Why are there so many bums?" They need jobs." We were surprised that he would say that but she tried to silence him by telling him to "Come on here right now and we will discuss this later." The child was still curious that he kept asking why "those people had to ask for food or money and not work." His little mind was turning with many questions. His mother grabbed him by the arm and pulled him on down the strip. Often times I think that we miss the teachable opportunities by trying to silence children. I understand that silencing children from hurting the other person's feelings but I believe that it is important to explain that there are many differences and that not everyone looks like or lives like we do. A teachable moment left undone will hurt the child in the long run. We as professionals and adults should use each moment to teach of the differences.