It was a moment of pure wonder when Baby Zahra made her first visit to the kindergarten classroom. The room, usually filled with the lively chatter of four- and five-year-old’s, fell into an unusual hush as the children gathered around the soft green blanket where she lay. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy, their tiny voices barely above a whisper.
“She’s so cute and small,” one child giggled, while another added, “She looks so happy sitting on your lap.”
Then, out of nowhere, a child diagnosed with autism broke the silence with a joyful observation: “It’s a baby, a smiley baby!” Without hesitation, they began to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. One by one, the other children joined in, their voices weaving together in a sweet, gentle melody. As they sang, Zahra smiled, turning her head as if drawn to the sound – a moment of pure connection, where words were not needed, only warmth and wonder.
Roots of Empathy Instructor | Ottawa, Ontario