You’ve triggered two beautiful memories I feel compelled to relay: Upon seeing the tangle I made of my shoes in kindergarten, Shauna Tessler patiently taught me how to tie them properly, with the rabbit-ears technique. If not for her, I would still be tripping over myself.

And in first grade, Mrs. Zaitz taught us how to spell the word ‘restaurant’. I would likely starve without that lesson.

The mentorship is indelible, and the respect that you describe is key. Your husband’s epiphany that Kids Are People Too reminds me of a story my grandmother told me about my mother:

“We were all on an airplane once when the flight attendant came by and said, ‘I can’t believe how you talk to your child. You’re having a conversation with him like he’s an adult!’ Michael, it was your first flight and your Mom wanted to make sure you weren’t scared. You were eight months old.”

Still no fear of flying. Props to mom for her respect and resolute restraint from using baby-talk!