Dear Parents and Teachers, Do We Prefer ‘Good’ Children?
Are you a parent? A teacher? An educator?
A few things have happened in the past weeks, and it got me thinking about what we truly hope to see in our children.
…
Do we prefer to have quiet kids who sweetly sit in our classes?
Do we detest children who tend to speak their mind, opinionated?
I’m not a big fan of Michael Jackson (though I feel he’s a great artist and performer), but when I LOVED watching this clip, or should I say, I loved watching these talented kids, … individuals who are different in their own way.
A few things that came to mind after I watched the clip:
The drummer may find it hard to keep still in class.
The singer may not do well in science (despite studying for it).
The guitarist may not like maths.
The violinist may not be a confident speaker.
The tap dancers may have problems in staying focused in their studies.
…
Is it possible that perhaps we adults are the ones who fail to see and fail to seek the POTENTIALS and talents that God has given to them?
Whatever it is, I feel sometimes we parents (and teachers/educators) tend to focus on what our children are NOT good at.
We dislike (and regularly discipline) children who are ‘different than the rest’, children who are more ‘difficult’, children who ‘disobey’.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in authority and order. I believe children need to learn what is right and wrong, what is good and bad manners, etc. Since young.
What I hope to say is, is it possible that perhaps we adults are the ones who fail to see and fail to seek the POTENTIALS and talents that God has given to them?
For example, instead of always expecting children to be obedient and interested (in how we teach in class), have we thought that perhaps the reason some children not interested / chat / not paying attention is because:
– they have mastered the materials (faster than the others)
– they have personal problems at home
– they see us as only interested in their grades and not in them as a ‘person’
– we (how we speak, how we teach, how we live) fail to inspire and challenge their curious minds
– we expect one style / method of teaching or parenting to ‘work’ for ALL children
…
I see myself as a parent and a teacher, and I very well know how difficult it is to do the ‘job’.
I mean, it can be so mentally draining to teach a child. It’s even harder to handle more than one!
I’m just sharing my personal reflection.
As the adult, have we reflected upon our teaching or parenting style? Perhaps the fault is more on OUR side rather than on THEIR side.
AS the adult, we need to see that those children whom we see as rebellious, difficult, tough and hopeless, … perhaps there are BIG talents and potentials they have yet to discover.
Have we reflected upon our teaching or parenting style? Perhaps the fault is more on OUR side rather than on THEIR sideThe road is still long for us, and for them.
But let us be someone who strive to inspire our children, our students.
Because they’re the ones God has entrusted into our care.
*Reminder to self*
May God help us.
