All of the systems around schools are childist. It feels so important to ensure autonomy that young people are given the right to say no and express their needs. I’d be really interested in your views around how schools can change to accommodate children who need this kind of autonomy and how this could be driven at a national level. Because it would need to be.
When reading this, I thought of behaviour policies in some schools and children with special educational needs. Settings do not meet their needs, yet they expect them to follow their one-size-fits-all policy. This shows a complete disregard for their ways of learning and experiencing the world.
I've struggled with this myself as a child, and also after I had my own child. Just yesterday I struggled with giving her bath or shower when she just wanted to go to bed. She needed a shower because we were outside sitting by a campfire, and we both had campfire smelling hair. So she needed a shower at least.
All of the systems around schools are childist. It feels so important to ensure autonomy that young people are given the right to say no and express their needs. I’d be really interested in your views around how schools can change to accommodate children who need this kind of autonomy and how this could be driven at a national level. Because it would need to be.
Oh this is beautifully written, Naomi. I get it in so many levels. Thank you.
When reading this, I thought of behaviour policies in some schools and children with special educational needs. Settings do not meet their needs, yet they expect them to follow their one-size-fits-all policy. This shows a complete disregard for their ways of learning and experiencing the world.
We also don't allow children to say 'no' in family court. We force them to spend time with abusive parents who they are scared of.
I've struggled with this myself as a child, and also after I had my own child. Just yesterday I struggled with giving her bath or shower when she just wanted to go to bed. She needed a shower because we were outside sitting by a campfire, and we both had campfire smelling hair. So she needed a shower at least.
Pathologizing normal behavior and learning opportunities leads to prevalence inflation and unreliable data. Statistics never lie but ...