Once while I was supervising, a boy was crying on the playground. He looked a little 'older' so I wasn't really sure how to comfort him. I racked my brain before finally going 'screw it' and asked if he would like a hug.
he immediately said yes and I hugged him. I didn't know the boy since I didn't work in his particular class ... but the next year I was assigned to his classroom and to my surprise he remembered me, and everyday he'd give me a hug. Nearly everyday he'd tell me I was the best and his favorite. All I did was give him a hug when he was sad... but it obviously really meant something to him.
He moved this year and it's likely I won't see him again but he made me see that even a small gesture can be meaningful.
