Follow your dreams

The great Martin Luther King had a dream. He wanted to make change in the world happen. He wanted fairness and equality for all people, regardless of the colour of their skin. He was a peaceful man and a powerful speaker.

I have often said to children I have had the privilege to teach that in a different time, in a different place, we would not have been allowed to play together because of the colour of our skin.

I have always said that dreams and ambitions really can come true. If you dream of being the next Prime Minister or if you dream of driving a bus, we all have our roles to play and no one is more important than anyone else.

Now, more than at any other time, many have realised that nurses, shop assistants, rubbish collectors and transport workers are equally as important. Our skills may be different, but we all need each other. We are all valuable in helping to make our world a better place.

Whatever you dream of being, the saying ‘be the best that you can be’ is very true.

‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’  Martin Luther King Jnr.

Mrs Hart’s Dream believers!

There are many people who have had a dream and been brave enough to make their dream come true. Explore and research these people and their lives. There are listed websites to help you.

• kidskonnect.com – Malala Yousafzai. Why is this brave young girl so inspirational and why did she receive the Nobel peace prize? Lots of facts and worksheets for children to research. What is the one thing you would stand up for no matter what?

• activityvillage.co.uk – Helen Keller. How frustrating must it be to not be able to see?  Play some blindfold games and explore your senses. This includes designing an award for Helen Keller and newspaper writing. Write some ‘Senses’ poems on what we appreciate more in lockdown.

• Natgeokids.com – Mary Seacole. We all learned about Florence Nightingale a few weeks ago and discovered how she was determined to make her dreams come true.  She pursued her ambition and became known as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’. Why was Mary known as Mother Seacole and why was she was one of a kind?!

• ‘Salt in His Shoes – Michael Jordan, in Pursuit of a Dream’. By Deloris Jordan. Learn about the making of a Champ. A must read for any family wanting to make a child’s dreams come true.

• ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ – When someone tells you can’t do something, this book will teach them to say ‘I can’t…YET!’ A fabulous book! Do you laugh at people if they can’t do something? Find out as many facts about giraffes and even perform a funny dance of your own?! If the family can learn a dance together why not put it on Tik Tok?!

• ‘Amazing Grace’ – A good old favourite, you can be anything you want to be, just follow your dreams! A beautiful book that teaches children about believing in themselves. There are a series of books by Mary Hoffman. Enjoy others including ‘Boundless Grace’, ‘Grace and Family’ and ‘Princess Grace’.

• Unstoppable Me! – By Dr Wayne W. Dyer. A fantastic book for children with a positive message on striving to attain their dreams.  It deals with anxiety, stress and learning to live in the moment.

• ‘This is Your Life!’ – Interview a member of your family! Mum/Dad/Grandparents. What were/are their dreams, ambitions, jobs and experiences? Make a presentation to them in a ‘This is Your Life’ style evening including photographs and music! Make the presentation into a keepsake book to enjoy for years to come.

‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’  Martin Luther King Jnr.

We celebrate Martin Luther King today and every day.  Never stop believing in your dreams, you really can do anything if you want to! Encourage others to pursue their dreams. The best dreams are the ones that create change not just for you but for others too.

‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’  Walt Disney.

Mrs Hart, Adviser to Child of Wales.