blog post 4
Adultism.....
I had to really think about a time when an adult took away my free ability to make choices for myself, specifically a time in which it really stuck with me and made a lasting impression.
I have often, by my parents, been guided to make my own choices and they supported me. Obviously, if it was an unsafe circumstance or something that would physically harm me they did not support or encourage but I was also not a youth or teen to really look down those types of path anyways.
Even as a youth in high school my teachers were supportive and encouraging. That is, why I assume, I had such positive, lasting, close relationships with so many of my educators and still continue to ten years later.
I can remember one teacher I had in third grade. I was used to such open free play, while learning an immense amount through socialization, play, and discovery but this teacher did not work this way. She had desks not touching, in rows so no one could converse. There was no "free time" and group work. There was only silent reading, silent indoor recess and individual work.
It was almost relieving when there would be a Sub in for her. I can't see this made me break out of my shell or held me back but I do remember the eery vibe of the classroom and the little I felt connected to her or that classroom. In comparison to my other classrooms and teachers, there was little laughter or friendships formed. Free open unguided play or learning is not what should happen all 8 hours of a school day but youth should have open environments to learn about themselves and others. There was more control from the adult in the room than choices made by any of the 25 kids in the class.
I had to really think about a time when an adult took away my free ability to make choices for myself, specifically a time in which it really stuck with me and made a lasting impression.
I have often, by my parents, been guided to make my own choices and they supported me. Obviously, if it was an unsafe circumstance or something that would physically harm me they did not support or encourage but I was also not a youth or teen to really look down those types of path anyways.
Even as a youth in high school my teachers were supportive and encouraging. That is, why I assume, I had such positive, lasting, close relationships with so many of my educators and still continue to ten years later.
I can remember one teacher I had in third grade. I was used to such open free play, while learning an immense amount through socialization, play, and discovery but this teacher did not work this way. She had desks not touching, in rows so no one could converse. There was no "free time" and group work. There was only silent reading, silent indoor recess and individual work.
It was almost relieving when there would be a Sub in for her. I can't see this made me break out of my shell or held me back but I do remember the eery vibe of the classroom and the little I felt connected to her or that classroom. In comparison to my other classrooms and teachers, there was little laughter or friendships formed. Free open unguided play or learning is not what should happen all 8 hours of a school day but youth should have open environments to learn about themselves and others. There was more control from the adult in the room than choices made by any of the 25 kids in the class.
How has this effected the way you work with kids, if you do not mind me asking? I know the ways I was impacted to work with youth stemmed out of similar situations to this?
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