"Au lieu de demander à votre enfant ce qu'il a appris aujourd'hui, demandez-lui qui il a aidé aujourd'hui."

This quote is all about shifting the focus from what was learned to how one has helped others. It's simple, right? Instead of emphasizing the accumulation of knowledge, it encourages kids to think about their interactions and the positive impacts they can have on others. Instead of just filling their heads with facts and figures, it's about nurturing kindness and empathy.

Historically, our education system has been all about grades and test scores. Think about when you were a kid. Your parents probably asked you, “What did you learn today?” every single day after school. It’s a question that puts the emphasis squarely on academic achievements. But isn't there more to life than just knowing stuff? This shift in questioning represents a more holistic approach to child development, one that values emotional intelligence and social responsibility alongside intellectual growth.

Now, let’s dive into a real-life example. Picture a young boy named Jake. He’s in third grade and usually pretty shy. But today, he noticed a classmate, Sarah, struggling with her multiplication tables. Instead of just focusing on his work, Jake took the time to help Sarah understand the concept. They spent their recess working through problems together. When Jake got home, his mom asked him, “Who did you help today?” Jake's face lit up as he recounted his experience with Sarah. Not only did he reinforce his own understanding of math, but he also felt a sense of pride and connection.

So, how do you apply this idea in your daily life? Start by changing the questions you ask. When your child comes home, ask them, “Who did you help today?” or even “How did you make someone’s day better?” It encourages them to look beyond their own needs and achievements, fostering a mindset of service and empathy. It’s pretty simple but incredibly powerful.

Imagine a scenario. You've got two kids at the dinner table – let’s call them Anna and Tom. You ask Tom, “Who did you help today?” He thinks for a moment and says, “I helped my friend Sam pick up his books when he dropped them in the hallway.” Anna, hearing this, chimes in, “I helped my teacher by cleaning the classroom after art class.” This simple question turns dinner time into a moment of reflection and sharing, reinforcing the values of kindness and community.

This kind of dialogue can create a ripple effect. Kids start to look for opportunities to help others because they know they’ll be asked about it and praised for it. It’s a subtle shift but over time, it can make a massive difference in how they view their role in the world.

So, the next time you’re tempted to ask, “What did you learn today?” take a moment to think about what really matters. Sure, learning is important, but so is kindness. And wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all focused a bit more on how we can help each other out?