Lessons for Children to Learn from 9 of History’s Most Influential Peacemakers
Stories are more effective than lists of instructions for teaching children. Ancient peoples teach us how to live in harmony with ourselves and the world. Children can better implement the principles of peacemaking if they discuss each one individually. Learn more about these peacemakers and pass on their wisdom to the next generation by reading aloud their biographies.
1. Fred Rogers and the Value of Tolerance
“Don’t change a thing; I like the real you.” This popular remark from Fred’s program taught youngsters acceptance of themselves and gratitude for the people around them. His openness, humility, and generosity were wonderful examples of how words may be used to build relationships, foster harmony, and improve daily life.
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is still available for kids to watch. The kind guy had a tough childhood, marked by bullying and his own unhealthy weight. He put in a lot of effort in school and tried to be a good person. He advocated charity on his program. He assisted a black visitor, Officer Clemens, cool his feet in a basin of water when segregation prevented him from swimming in a public pool, and then he helped him dry them off. He thought kids picked such habits by watching their elders. Read his narrative to kids if you want to see more kindness and love in the world and less violence. A discussion on how to be as nice as Mr. Rogers.
2. Living Peace Principles, by Conrad Weiser
Conrad’s ability to maintain peace was aided by his life of neighborliness and his attentiveness to others’ needs. Conrad’s father immigrated from Germany to the new world during the early days of American history, and he insisted that his son become fluent in the Mohawk language and culture. His kid went out to join the tribe. As much as he suffered from the elements, homesickness, and starvation, he was able to adapt to their culture.
Conrad eventually settled in Pennsylvania after getting married and leaving New York. Through his friendship with a local Oneida leader, he eventually found work as the Pennsylvania governor’s translator. Conrad’s word was respected by all parties. Attending several peace treaty negotiations, he fostered understanding and cooperation. He validated the feelings of those close to him. Tarachiawagon was his Iroquois name (Holder of the Heavens). We are encouraged by his experience to put in the effort to get to know our neighbors before we sit down to discuss our differences with the ultimate objective of achieving harmony. Teach your kids to respect their neighbors who may speak a different language or come from a different cultural background.
3. Peaceful Acts of Acts of Kindness: Gladys Aylward’s Model
Short and with brown hair In 1932, Gladys went to China to spread the gospel. She felt a calling to serve others and witness for Jesus. She praised the Lord that she had features that allowed her to pass as Chinese. Time was needed for Gladys to gain the confidence of everyone she encountered. She began making cookies and leaving them on her doorstep so that neighborhood kids might enjoy them. She became known as “cookie lady” among the locals. She cared for them as shown by her thoughtfulness.
The mandarin, a high-ranking official, approached her for assistance. He was hoping she could put down a jail riot for him. After hearing the inmates’ concerns, she made suggestions to the warden on how he should treat the male inmates more humanely. Then he asked her to become a foot inspector and end the practice of tying girls’ feet. That allowed her to meet with ladies in their homes and share her religion. In addition to establishing an orphanage, she also initiated correspondence with the mission board in an effort to initiate a holiday collection for missionaries. It’s a tradition that continues to this day. Talk about how to reach out to others and create friends via simple acts of kindness like making cookies. Their gratitude for her generosity spread like wildfire across the community. She was dubbed “the Virtuous One” by her peers. To be kind is to put the needs of others ahead of our own and to make the other person feel like they’re the only one in the world.
4. Prince Albert and Henry Cole, Peace Through Sharing Information
Prince Albert’s goal was to unite all nations in harmony. He imagined forming bonds with people around shared passions and ideals. During conflict, men from various nations often come into contact with one another. He organized a period when scientists and inventors from all around the globe could get together and talk shop. A crystal structure housing a hundred thousand displays was their idea. On May 1, 1850, doors first opened. It was visited by six million people.
Queen Victoria, his wife, was overjoyed and proud of his success. They had an unwavering commitment to God and to one another. Because of their abundant happiness and love, they cared deeply for others. The funds raised from the exhibition were invested in STEM education through funding museum construction and ongoing scholarship programs. Creating a desire in children to help others and share knowledge is a positive outcome. That reflects consideration and can lead to stronger bonds between friends.
5. Corrie ten Boom’s “Peace Through Forgiveness”
The ten Boom family assisted in hiding Jews from the Nazis behind a false wall during World War II, until the Jews were discovered and sent to concentration camps for being traitors. Corrie grew through her ordeal thanks to her faith, and she has since spoken about the importance of forgiveness and how it helped her. She was reminded of the truth of her remarks when a former guard begged her to forgive him and continue to believe that our crimes were buried far under the ocean. She recalled Jesus’s teaching that we must forgive others if we want to be forgiven. As she extended her hand to shake his, she silently pleaded for assistance. Heavenly love poured down on her at that same second, and she finally let go of her anger. Discuss the importance of apologizing and seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged. In order to go on peacefully, we need to be able to forgive others.
When we’ve been wronged, it might be difficult to forgive. It’s making the conscious decision to move beyond the pain and anger caused by another person’s actions. To forgive another person is to release that person from any responsibility for your grief or anger.
6. Horatio Spafford, through Faith in God
Losing a loved one is really painful. We grieve for them and ask God why He did not intervene. Horatio has experienced a great deal of loss in his life. He lost his only son to a fever. Then, tragically, all four of his daughters perished in a shipwreck while crossing the Atlantic. The couple’s wife, who was aboard the same ship, managed to get off. As he sailed to meet his future bride, the skipper showed him the exact area in the water where the young woman had perished. He told his sister that his daughters were “safe,” referring to the afterlife. Having confidence in a hereafter brought him a sense of calmness.
Horatio penned the uplifting hymn “It is good with my spirit.” These remarks serve as a reminder that this guy never stopped relying on God, praising God, and praying for God’s peace. Talk about the importance of keeping a positive outlook and counting one’s blessings even in the face of adversity. When horrible things happen, we may pray for God to give us peace of mind.
7. John Stanley Graul teaches us the importance of pursuing peace on behalf of others.
Voluntary acts of selflessness include putting the needs of others ahead of one’s own. As a young man of 19, John Graul lost his father. Soon after reaching adulthood, he entered the ministry and tied the knot. Tragically, his wife and kid perished during delivery. John was influenced to join the Nazi cause after seeing photos of Nazis tormenting Jews who had received medals for saving Germany in World War I and learning that Hitler, the biggest bully in history, had slaughtered thousands of Jews. To aid the Jewish people, John affiliated with a group that did just that. As part of the Haganah, he served aboard the Warfield (later renamed the Exodus). To aid a country, John braved terrible conditions on the ship.
John Graul was one of the 4,500 Jews who stowed away aboard the Exodus to make their way to Israel and safety from the Holocaust. Constantly, the British obstructed Jewish refugees. They announced their plans to the world as the Exodus neared Palestine. When the British attacked the ship that night, it was just 17 miles from land, making the attack technically an act of piracy. John bravely faced the media after the incident. He gave testimony before the United Nations and received endorsements from many of its member states. This factored towards the final decision to establish the state of Israel by international leaders. Kids develop altruism when they help others and pay attention to the needs of those around them. They have the ability to advocate for those that are marginalized and need assistance.
8. To Choose Peace: Todd Beamer’s Struggle for Justice
On 9/11, terrorists hijacked American airplanes and used them to attack the United States; one passenger, Todd Beamer, and others on board resisted the hijackers. Although he expected to die soon, he spent his last moments trying to prevent a terrorist strike on the United States Capitol. When the terrorists took over the jet, they sealed the cockpit, but he and the others he recruited broke through. As a result, the terrorists abandoned their mission and crashed in a Pennsylvania field. Todd and the other heroes died, but their sacrifice helped save countless lives.
Children may defend their peers by standing up to bullies. Having each other’s backs strengthens our collective stance. We will endeavor to halt the harmful conduct of bullies in order to bring about peace, but we must be ready to have a bully turn on us if we choose to support someone who is being bullied. Encourage your youngster to be an upstanding citizen who steps in to aid others in need.
9. Serving Faithfully: Johnny Ring and Captain Conwell
An impressionable young man by the name of Johnny Ring fought under Captain Russell Conwell in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Maintaining the captain’s sword was one of his responsibilities. Johnny’s mother insisted he read the Bible every day, and he promised she would be satisfied if he did. The atheist Conwell found that disturbing. He scolded Johnny and said the Bible was full of falsehoods. Johnny refused to budge, insisting he had to keep his word to his mom. His reading of the Bible away from the captain was an act of humility. The captain was moved by Johnny’s sacrifice to protect the sword.
The captain cried out to God as he lay dying in combat, promising to serve the Almighty in exchange for his and Johnny’s survival. Conwell believed in God, worked sixteen hours every day, and split those hours between Johnny and himself. He advocated for the importance of education and helping others via his work in establishing Temple University. Thanks to Johnny’s example, Conwell became a devout Christian. By modeling steadfast faith ourselves, we may encourage our children to follow Jesus’s example. Children learn to live in harmony with one another through helping others.
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