The weather this afternoon was wonderful—cool and pleasant with gentle sunshine. The fourth graders lined up amidst laughter, heading downstairs with anticipation for their physical education class. The teacher, Long Yongzhi, is a kind and friendly young man. The children were quite lively, and during their descent, the once-orderly line became somewhat chaotic. After the teacher reorganized them, the class officially began.
The teacher first led the students for a lap around the playground, followed by warm-up exercises. The children were full of enthusiasm and eagerly asked what they would learn. "Today, we are learning basketball," the teacher announced. Immediately, some girls exclaimed, "I don't know how to play basketball! I don't even like it!" Only a few boys showed keen interest. The teacher patiently persuaded them, saying, "It is precisely because you don't know how that you should learn. Without trying, how will you know if you like it?" Encouraged by the teacher's words, some girls, though initially intimidated by the new sport, decided to take that first step. The students started with the basics of dribbling. Although their movements were clumsy, the smiles on their faces showed they were truly enjoying themselves. Throughout the practice, the teacher patiently corrected their form. After half a class, the students gradually caught on, dribbling with a confidence that even resembled seasoned players.
Children are naturally curious about new things, but sometimes they lack the necessary motivation. Therefore, it is crucial that we provide them with more encouragement; with support, they will find the courage to take that first step. Take Xinyi, for example; before practicing, she insisted she couldn't do it and even found basketball "scary." However, after bravely trying, she happily shared that it wasn't scary at all and was actually quite fun. As children grow, they will encounter many challenges similar to this "basketball." Our role is to encourage them to face these challenges bravely. As they discover the joy and rewards of trying new things, this mental strength will profoundly shape their future lives and become an invaluable treasure in their growth.
May they always have the courage to pursue what they desire and grow strong! Believe in yourselves; every step opens a new world, and your life will become more beautiful because of it. Keep going!
