Adorable video of kindergartners greeting classmates with hugs went viral in 2018

A teacher from Wisconsin found a unique way for her students to greet each other every morning and it’s not your usual “good morning” greeting.

Nicole Schlapper from a school in Birchwood realized starting the day with a friendly greeting is the best way to pump up a class. So she thought of a great idea for her students to say hello to each other every morning. She assigned a classroom greeter each day who’d oblige his/her classmates’ wishes on how they’d want to be greeted.

“I truly believe it promotes a sense of community and sets a positive tone for the day.”

THEIR DAILY RITUAL OF GREETING EACH OTHER

The day begins with the designated classroom greeter standing by a signboard that features five ways to be greeted. Then students line up in front of the greeter and pick out from one of the greeting options on the signboard. These include a hug, a handshake, a wave, a fist-bump and a verbal hello.

Students point at the image of the greeting they prefer and gets exactly that from the greeter. A video clip of the sweet routine has others wishing they were part of Nicole’s class. Why wouldn’t you if you find yourself giving and receiving hugs, high fives and fist bumps every single day.

"When I see the direction this world is heading, it reminds me that what I am doing will make a difference."

A STUDENT STANDS OUT

One student, Colin Baker, drew attention to the number of hugs he gave during his turn as a greeter. According to his mother, who spoke to “Good Morning America” when the clip went viral, many must have chosen to hug her 5-year-old because he’s a good hugger.

“He puts his heart into every one. I’m very proud of him.”

WHY SHE DOES IT

Schlapper affirms that the activity has made students more excited to come to class.

“The children absolutely love this job and show great excitement when their turn comes up.”

She adds,

“I truly believe it promotes a sense of community and sets a positive tone for the day.”

The clip posted by Birchwood on its Facebook page earned more than 1 million views. But Schlapper has higher hopes the good morning routine would foster lifelong friendships among her students.

OTHER SCHOOLS ARE DOING IT TOO

It appears a lot of schools are employing this practice of devoting extra time in the morning for students to greet their classmates in a special way. In Texas, Ashley Taylor uses the same concept as Nicole's in encouraging her students to welcome each other each day. Her students get to choose between a "good morning" a handshake or a hug. A video of the encounters are just as sweet prompting Ashley to comment on her post,

"When I see the direction this world is heading, it reminds me that what I am doing will make a difference."

Meanwhile, a similar scene occurs at an elementary school in Kansas but this time a grade three teacher greets each of her students with special handshakes. Jerusa Willenburg has a unique handshake for each of her 22 students. Each handshake is a complicated mix of gestures designed for each individual and watching the whole routine unfold is just amazing. Willenburg seemed to know all 22 special handshakes of her students by heart. Her devotion is truly inspiring and her students are just as inspired.