Today's blog post has nothing to do with writing or book reviews - although it is kind of related to a book I'm reading (My James by Ralph Bulger). Most of us remember the absolutely horrific murder of an angelic looking two year old boy James Bulger back in 1993. Almost as shocking as the brutality of the crime was the fact it was carried out by two ten-year-old boys. Reading this book you cannot help but be absolutely horrified at what this young boy suffered and feel despair that kids could be capable of such evil. Unfortunately we usually only hear the horrible things kids do and rarely the good, so I would like to write a little about that today.
I have two day jobs - I work in learning support in a primary school and as a swimming teacher. Obviously both these jobs involve close interaction with a fair number of small children. Sadly there are some that you see who will probably end up committing crimes - but on the flip side there are many more who amaze me with their capacity to be kind, thoughtful and very selfless.
I have two day jobs - I work in learning support in a primary school and as a swimming teacher. Obviously both these jobs involve close interaction with a fair number of small children. Sadly there are some that you see who will probably end up committing crimes - but on the flip side there are many more who amaze me with their capacity to be kind, thoughtful and very selfless.
Children with autism can bring many challenges to a mainstream classroom, but I am always humbled by the acceptance shown by other kids in such classes. Often when the adults in the room are frazzled trying to meet the needs of the autistic child (made much more difficult by very limited funding) as well as the other students, it is the kids who step up and help calm down their friend - who offer them their best pencil or a sticker or to take them aside and play with them to help diffuse things. These kids show endless patience and compassion all off their own bat. Of course tolerance is taught, but true kindness comes from within.
Just this week I was teaching a swimming class for three year olds. Two of the girls have been swimming a long time and are confident in the water, while the third has just started lessons and is very fearful. Rather than being scornful that this little girl was scared the other two made it their mission to gently coax her into the water and to take part in the lesson. I was blown away at the way they encouraged their new friend (they'd only just met) and praised her very small successes. They comforted her when she cried (how cute is a three year old group hug?) and assured her that I was very nice and wouldn't let her drown! By the end of the lesson she was playing happily on the step and assured her parents she wanted to come back next week.
So, yes kids can be horrible and cruel but they can also be extremely kind, compassionate and tolerant. Let's spread a few more of these kind of positive stories instead of only dwelling on the negative.
Just this week I was teaching a swimming class for three year olds. Two of the girls have been swimming a long time and are confident in the water, while the third has just started lessons and is very fearful. Rather than being scornful that this little girl was scared the other two made it their mission to gently coax her into the water and to take part in the lesson. I was blown away at the way they encouraged their new friend (they'd only just met) and praised her very small successes. They comforted her when she cried (how cute is a three year old group hug?) and assured her that I was very nice and wouldn't let her drown! By the end of the lesson she was playing happily on the step and assured her parents she wanted to come back next week.
So, yes kids can be horrible and cruel but they can also be extremely kind, compassionate and tolerant. Let's spread a few more of these kind of positive stories instead of only dwelling on the negative.
