Child - Can you please let me know the page number ma’am?
Teacher - Ooooooo why you do not know which page I am on; You do not know because you do not open even the book. Do you want me to come to your home and open a page for you?
A little background that it was an online class, and because of bad weather conditions they cannot go to school. Once the class finished my son came to us and said I just asked a question and ma’am was so angry.
Do you think he is going to ask again, not even her but any of the adults? Adults have a responsibility to create a safe space where children can share anything without hesitation, however, it is sad part that these things do not show in adult actions. Are we setting up the wrong examples, giving children sad memories?
Teachers/adults often say children do not share their challenges with us even for a simple thing like not understanding the chapter or if they have any challenges. But can we ask as an adult if we are creating that safe space? What treatment do you want when you ask questions or would like to share something with your boss, seniors, parents, or partner? How others can create a safe and threatening-free environment for you?
I am not sure if most countries still have this kind of environment for children but the main thing is adult expectation and the reality is very different. And if the input is not good how we can expect good output? Do adult wants children to be afraid of adult or respect them, it is all up to them.
I remember I visited a school where the head of the school was holding a stick in his hands, he observed that my whole focus was holding a stick in his hand, and he himself started sharing that I do not hit children, and while sharing all this he know where he is wrong. it is like I have not slapped a child, I pushed him hard and he fell down. who gives this power to adults?
Can adults think about alternative methods even in a tough situation? Do teachers/adults talk with each other about these things? Does the school have such training to deal with situations?
What I have done? I have sent the below lines to the teachers. And I will wait for the response.
Child asked to teacher - Can you please let me know the page number ma’am?
Teacher response – Ooooooo why you do not know which page I am on; You do not know because you do not open even the book. Do you want me to come to your home and open a page for you? Do you think there could be a better way to reply to the child?
Disclaimer - Used Grammarly to correct the grammar and all the photographs taken from www.pixel.com
