How lucky for children to have someone other than their parents to call them by name. It’s a gift for children to receive from their parents for the first time when they come into this world. 

I hear my daughter’s name “Chia” at the school gate when teachers are standing and greeting in the morning. Then I hear her classmate chanting “Chia-chan” as she walks to her classroom. It gives me warmth and smiles every morning. It is an amazing way to start my day as well. Children feel welcome and also part of the community.

The names parents came up with after days of thinking. It’s a gift children receive from their parents for the first time when they come into this world. I believe that parents need people who call their child names. That means your kids have someone in their lives who is looking after and caring for them. Those people tell you things you don’t know about your children. Things you don’t recognize. Those are the people who give what parents cannot give and share. 

One of my students’ parents asked me how she could continue working with middle school students, because she ran an organization for students who don’t attend school. She said that many elementary school kids attend the event, but fewer middle school students do.

If there is an event that children have never attended, elementary school students may think,

“That sounds fun. I want to go!”

“That sounds interesting.”

“I want to do that.”

They tend to think about what’s going to happen at the event. 

However, adolescents may feel,

“Who will be there? How many are coming?”

“How do I look if I join?”

“What do other people think of me?”

“Am I too old for that?”

They tend to think about who will be there and how I am going to be viewed. Adolescents can be very self-conscious. 

I advised her to call everyone by name. Help children call each other by name instead of “Onisan – older brother” and “Onesan – older sister.” They can have fun name tags. It’s very simple and yet so meaningful to adolescents. Treat them as young adults, not children. Give them responsibilities. Let them be part of your goals, instead of activities. Let them enjoy who they are, and who they can become, even if it’s a one-day event. 

I want to call my child’ friends and classmates by name as much as I can.