We’ve all been stressed out at least once in our lives, and for me, I always end up searching online to see how others solved similar problems, or just read a book to calm myself down. Currently, I have been stressed out by the whole Coronavirus situation, to the point that even mentioning its name makes me feel sick.
Luckily, I came across a book called Six Going on Seven, by Amy S. George. Although the book’s narrator is that of a seven-year-old girl, it’s fit for all ages.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but while reading what she shared, it hit me – Have I been taken things for granted? Why am I stressed even though my life is good, and my friends and family are doing well? Why should I not cherish the present and instead, worry too much about tomorrow? Can I observe things without emotional attachments or bias?
With all this and more on my mind, I had the chance to interview George, and felt totally at peace simply from talking with her and listening to her journey of writing this book.
Amy S. George
Can you introduce yourself to us?
I’m from Ohio in the United States. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton (ranked number 47 amongst engineering schools). I worked as a process engineer for ten years in the automotive and printing industries. When my daughter started middle school, she interviewed for a magnet school. When I walked into the building, I was hit with the feeling that I also wanted to be there.
I worked over the next year on earning credits in education and a teaching license. I loved teaching and learned so much from my students. I was fascinated with how people learn and the science of learning. I was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in 2012, a Dow NSTA Science teaching fellowship in 2013, and in 2014 I earned first place in the NSTA Einstein STEM-a-thon at the National Science Teachers Association national conference. In 2015, my daughter went to university at The University of Dayton, and I came to China.
When did you start writing and why?
Writing for me started as a way for me to tell my stories in order to preserve them for my children and to feel connected to all the people I love back home that I am separated from now. Reliving my childhood made me feel connected to the people and places I love. I felt that through writing simple, wholesome stories, I could inspire mindfulness in students. I never tell them my intention in my stories and don’t try to give them the boring facts and science behind the practice of mindfulness. I try to model it by giving details that give them the feeling of being there and feeling emotions, then giving them the opportunity to write in the same way after each story.
Six Going on Seven
Is Six Going on Seven your first book? Can you give us a general introduction to it?
It’s a series of short stories from the Summer I turned 7 years old in a small town in Ohio. None of the characters have actual names. That’s intentional so children can see themselves in the stories and imagine the characters as people in their own lives. After each story is a question prompt with room for children to record their own thoughts.
I hope that children can use this as a model for mindfulness without an adult preaching at them about what mindfulness is and why it’s important. In children, they can develop the habit organically just by reading and practicing with each prompt.
What inspired you to write this book?
I feel this age is a magic time for many children. 7 years old is a turning point when children learn more about the world around them and start really considering choices and consequences. Their vocabulary and ideas burgeon at this age as they begin reading chapter books. At this age they haven’t been taught to censor themselves as much, so what comes out is pure thought. I want to help people remember back to that time of observing and developing questions without all the judgement. I love teaching, but I always feel there are so few students I can affect as a teacher. Through writing I am able to reach a wider audience.
What message do you want to send to kids from the book?
I want to instill that the world around them just is. Things aren’t inherently good or bad, they just are. If kids can come to terms with that at an earlier age, they will have better skills to deal with situations that cause stress and anxiety for others. They will be better decision-makers, as they can observe without the emotional attachment.
Can you explain why practicing mindfulness is important for kids?
Mindfulness is an excellent method for reducing stress and anxiety and improving memory. As a science teacher, the first lesson with every class is the difference between an observation and an inference. It is important that we learn to observe from outside in order to gain a full picture and make better decisions.
Can you give some simple tips for kids to practice mindfulness?
Sit in silence and just observe. What do you see, hear, feel, smell, and think? Don’t pass judgement on any of it. Just observe it. Practice doing this for a few minutes every day.
Have you had any feedback from your readers who are parents or kids?
So many people from different backgrounds – men, women, foreigners and Chinese – -who don’t know each other have used the words “peaceful” and “comfortable” when they’ve sent me feedback. That warms my heart because it was exactly what I was striving for. Here are some examples:
“This charming portrait of a girl’s simple upbringing details her thoughts and feelings as she tries to make sense of the world around her. Richly detailed and honestly expressed, this is a read as comfortable as an afternoon spent in good company.”
“I enjoyed the simple nature of the stories. It’s not pretentious and feels like home.”
Anything you want to add?
I have held these memories for years and used them in classes. This Winter I felt compelled to put them into writing. I think the timing was perfect as people are dealing with anxiety due to world events, and I feel blessed to be able to bring people comfort and coping methods.
Photos: Courtesy of Amy S. George
