You know regardless of everything else we are mommies (and daddies) in those schools. We go there to assist our teachers but when a hand needs to be held, mommy kicks in. I don't think it is a bad thing..and I think most teachers see it as part of what we can bring to the table. If you are uncomfortable, speak to the teacher but don't be worried you did the wrong thing. Kindness is like gold but only if you give it away. Maybe that's the lesson that little girl learned today.

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I'd just mention it to her too. As a male helping in the various schools I know too well the way some feel about kids rushing up and giving you hugs or sitting with you.

It was in plain site, you attempted to comfort the child then get her involved back in the activities at hand.

"Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief"
~Cicero

Martina McBride's song Anyway was just playing on tv. Perfect timing Silver because my advice is, "Whatever anyone thinks, do it anyway." That little girl needed a hug and a shoulder and you gave it to her. It may be the kindest thing anyone has ever done for her and she'll always remember it.

Maybe this child is prone to sadness and the teacher has found that the best thing for her is to keep her involved and engaged in the activities. Sweeping her back into the group may help her forget about whatever is making her sad for awhile.

I agree with Scott and Ohio. One of my favorite things about being involved in my son's school was all of the hugs I got whenever I was in the building. Sometimes the child was sad and needed a 'mommy' figure, sometimes they were just excited or glad to see me, or maybe just having a bad day. Only one child ever gave me the feeling that I ought to not be hugging him so I followed my instincts. He just seemed so incredibly desperate and clingy and was nearly obsessive about hugging everyone around him. I was always kind to him but avoided physical contact.

Silver--I would talk to the teacher ASAP and let her know you were only trying to make the little girl smile. I am sure she will understand. You probably made that little girls day by giving her a hug and being concerned. I would of done the same thing!!! And I do....at our school its not a big deal to see a teacher hugging a student --my boys are always giving their teachers hugs and even the principal. I am always at the school and many students come up to me and hug me---I have even seen a few students at the grocery and they will run over and hug me and say something to the effect of its the PTO lady or Box top lady. I guess maybe its the small school thing--most eveyone knows everyone else. And if they don't know me by my name they know me as the lady who "lives" at the school LOL!!
I applaud you for being concerned for the girl...who knows what was wrong with her to make her so sad and at least you showed her you care!! Some kids aren't even lucky enough to get hugs at home!!
Like I said I would let the teacher know you were only concerned for the girl.

Silver,
Every time I'm in the school the kids hug me. I know our school isn't the best and we have lots of kids with unstable environments, so I think they see a caring parent and jump at the chance for the affection they crave. I've had kids cry to me, too, on various occasions. I know lots of teachers don't want to touch their students for a multitude of reasons, but as long as you were in plain sight, I don't see how it could be seen as anything other than trying to help the child resolve their issue and get back into class. One other thing I have noticed with several of our teachers, they don't take the motherly approach or the extra time for one because they are worried other students will get the idea that they can sit and cry and become the teachers pet. Unless you feel you were in error, I wouldn't think anything of it.

I think I may have made a mistake but I am not sure. Was helping out at school today and one of the little ones was having a terrible day. She was very emotional and just over all sad. I just felt so terrible for her so I sat down next to her to see if I could help. The poor thing just put her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes with a few tears. I gave her a hug and tried to get her back into the activites but the teacher came over very concerned and rushed the little one back to the activities going on. I was only trying to help the little one out and see if I could make a smile come around ... I didn't get a chance to talk to the teacher before I left so I hope she doesn't think anything strange was going on. Gosh I hope I didn't do anything wrong. I know how sensitive things can be now a days with some ... some teachers are just plain scared to touch a kid but I can not stand across a room and see a little one so upset.