I had some great visits with some great kids this week. I wish everyone could see kids the way we teachers get to - we see the bad and the good; we see whole personalities wrapped up in ragtag, wild, confused packages.
I've known some of the 'meanest' kids to stick up for others who were getting bullied and I've seen those same kids getting bullied themselves by kids & adults. Those same 'bad' kids also snuggle with small animals - they need love and show love where it is shown to them.
At the end of the day, they're just kids. They are society's greatest works of art: they are what we produce through our choices and words and actions. We make them what they are.
Blame them for their behaviour? Why? We taught them how to be who they are, didn't we? They are simply products of their society, just as we are.
They make choices based on what they know, and their experiences. Teach them better. Help them make better choices.
People will give back to you what you give to them. If you treat someone badly, you make it difficult for them to treat you well.
There are lots of 'broken' people in the world. You can't change other people but you can change how you approach them. Accept them and the situation, or not. Make things better, or worse. The choices available are pretty clear.
Teens don't think the same way adults think - their brains aren't fully developed yet. They need guidance, just as we once did. It's hard to remember that.
They are works in progress - you can appreciate the process or go crazy trying to understand it. Why bother?
Appreciate.
Teach.
Learn.
Do it better.
Produce quality work - it's worth the time and effort.
And no, I'm not a parent, but I was a kid, once upon a time. And I have a thing or two to do with kids, once in awhile.
Their repeated visits make it worth my time and effort.
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| Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (C. D. Friedrich) |
I've known some of the 'meanest' kids to stick up for others who were getting bullied and I've seen those same kids getting bullied themselves by kids & adults. Those same 'bad' kids also snuggle with small animals - they need love and show love where it is shown to them.
At the end of the day, they're just kids. They are society's greatest works of art: they are what we produce through our choices and words and actions. We make them what they are.
Blame them for their behaviour? Why? We taught them how to be who they are, didn't we? They are simply products of their society, just as we are.
They make choices based on what they know, and their experiences. Teach them better. Help them make better choices.
People will give back to you what you give to them. If you treat someone badly, you make it difficult for them to treat you well.
There are lots of 'broken' people in the world. You can't change other people but you can change how you approach them. Accept them and the situation, or not. Make things better, or worse. The choices available are pretty clear.
Teens don't think the same way adults think - their brains aren't fully developed yet. They need guidance, just as we once did. It's hard to remember that.
They are works in progress - you can appreciate the process or go crazy trying to understand it. Why bother?
Appreciate.
Teach.
Learn.
Do it better.
Produce quality work - it's worth the time and effort.
And no, I'm not a parent, but I was a kid, once upon a time. And I have a thing or two to do with kids, once in awhile.
Their repeated visits make it worth my time and effort.
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