It’s clear not all children behave well, yet we have to gloss over this in our meetings. Why can’t we be upfront about the challenging ones?
Personally, I don’t categorize kids as ‘bad’. I try to respond based on what I see, aiming to be as unbiased as possible. Everyone has unseen challenges, just like when evaluating student work, it’s not about good or bad but about whether it shows learning. Similarly, behavior isn’t just good or bad, it’s either conducive to a learning environment or not, and that’s what I focus on professionally.
@MsBella
Really? Are you saying there’s no difference between simply disruptive behavior and more harmful actions like bullying or cruelty?
Racey said:
@MsBella
Really? Are you saying there’s no difference between simply disruptive behavior and more harmful actions like bullying or cruelty?
I’m not equipped to judge the morality of children. I handle bullying when it impacts learning, but beyond that, it’s not for me to label children as inherently good or evil.
It’s easy to give up on kids; society does it all the time. Those of us in education are tasked with taking a different approach, one that doesn’t simply dismiss kids. If you’d prefer a job that doesn’t involve nurturing potential, perhaps a career change is in order.
@Vincent
I believe there are no inherently bad children, only those who have been let down by their upbringing.
Arnold1 said:
@Vincent
I believe there are no inherently bad children, only those who have been let down by their upbringing.
While it’s true that bad parenting plays a significant role, some children seem to struggle with deeper issues, irrespective of their upbringing.
Mike said:
@Sophia2
The notion that anyone is born bad is misguided.
I never claimed anyone is born bad. However, despite having supportive parents, some kids still exhibit challenging behaviors.
Mike said:
@Sophia2
The notion that anyone is born bad is misguided.
And no one is inherently good either.
Brooklyn said:
@Vincent
The original post doesn’t suggest giving up on anyone.
Acknowledging a problem doesn’t mean giving up on it. We’re supposed to be about positive vibes only, right?
Children need positive influences and guidance. Bad behavior doesn’t mean a bad person. As educators, it’s our job to lead by example and show them respect, helping them navigate through their mistakes as they grow.
NemwelSamuel2 said:
@Mike
It seems you find reality distasteful when it’s not sugar-coated.
As a former ‘bad kid’, I benefited from educators who looked beyond my behavior. Now as a teacher, I strive to see the potential in my students rather than labeling them based on their actions.
@CathyGenesis
Having worked with some students for multiple years, I treat everyone the same, but it’s clear some kids are just more challenging.
NemwelSamuel2 said:
@CathyGenesis
Having worked with some students for multiple years, I treat everyone the same, but it’s clear some kids are just more challenging.
Teaching PE, you face unique challenges, but recognizing the struggles these kids face outside of school can change how we see their behavior.
NemwelSamuel2 said:
@CathyGenesis
Having worked with some students for multiple years, I treat everyone the same, but it’s clear some kids are just more challenging.
Your attitude might be contributing more to the problem than you realize. Perhaps a different teaching environment would be less frustrating for you.
@SarahBrown
My frustration isn’t with the students but with the unrealistic expectations some staff set about all kids being ‘good’.
NemwelSamuel2 said:
@Mike
It seems you find reality distasteful when it’s not sugar-coated.
Your perspective might indicate a mismatch with working with children. Understanding their backgrounds and connecting with them might reveal more about their behaviors than simply labeling them as bad.