life skills emotions · Ages 6-8

When I Was New and Everyone Else Knew the Steps

A child entering an unfamiliar activity learns to watch, ask one friendly question, and let being new last only as long as it needs to.

The whole story

1. On Tuesday afternoon, I carried my green bag into dance class. Everyone else already knew the steps.

2. I sat on the bench and watched. Step, clap, turn. Step, clap, turn.

3. A child named Mina came over. I asked one friendly question: “Which way do we turn?”

4. Mina showed me. “Turn toward the windows,” she said. I watched her feet.

5. I tried the first step. Then I clapped too soon. My hands made a very loud hello.

6. Mina laughed kindly, and I laughed too. We tried the steps again, more slowly.

7. I watched the teacher. I watched Mina. Soon my feet found the pattern.

8. Step, clap, turn. This time, I turned the right way.

9. When class ended, Mina asked, “Will you come next week?” I nodded. Being new had lasted just long enough.

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