The Radical Idea of Treating Children Like People
I sometimes forget how radical our ideas are about young children. I forget that not everyone trusts children even if most people say they do. I forget that most adults are convinced that children must be guided, coerced, tricked or otherwise manipulated to do "right" things, even as they genuinely profess a belief in their innate goodness. I forget that out there, outside our bubble, grown-ups might proudly say they want "kids to be kids," yet their behavior demonstrates that they can't imagine them thriving absent a background of near constant correction, "good jobs," and unsolicited advice. Most people think that we agree with one another about children, but once we get talking, they start to realize that what we're saying is radical.
It's the radical idea that children are fully formed people, due the rights and respect due to all the other people. When we CONTINUE READING: Teacher Tom: The Radical Idea of Treating Children Like People
It's the radical idea that children are fully formed people, due the rights and respect due to all the other people. When we CONTINUE READING: Teacher Tom: The Radical Idea of Treating Children Like People