Here on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids, your kids will be “dressed” with IDIOMS during the month of September.

IDIOMS are phrases that reveal “secrets” from the past. IDIOMS come from many sources, many languages, many authors, many cultures.  The “hidden” meanings in IDIOMS are great fun for kids, but also teach important, interesting and intriguing lessons in how language has developed and evolved over time.

Each SEPTEMBER IDIOM on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids will address something to do with clothing… such as teaching kids the meaning of the very intriguing step into someone’s shoes idiom.

– The idiom step into someone’s shoes means to see or experience something from someone else’s point of view or to take over a job or some role from someone.

– Origin of step into someone’s shoes Idiom:  Step into someone’s shoes is a term that was used as far back as the 16th century.  It is sometimes indicative of a person’s negative plight, as in I wouldn’t want to be in his or her position right now; but the idiom can also indicate a desire for someone’s enviable position, as in I wish I was in your shoes.

– Step into someone’s shoes has, historically, also been used to describe occupying a job or position vacated by another, as in I congratulate you in your acquisition of his shoes.

The idiom step into someone’s shoes is a wonderful way to teach kids the concept of understanding what it’s like to be someone else.  We never know the struggles, the feelings, the challenges, the heartache, the pain… or maybe even the joys, opportunities, hope or optimism of other people unless we feel what it’s like to BE them, or to figuratively step into their shoes and walk their lives.

Stepping into someone’s shoes requires great compassion, understanding, and in the case of filling someone’s position, skill.

Dress your kids for back-to-school success with knowledge and attention to stepping into someone’s shoes!

Take a few minutes each day in SEPTEMBER to teach the secrets of IDIOMS to your kids & grandkids.  Understanding IDIOMS is a wonderful way to enrich reading and language development.

And I’m not just talking through my hat!