Skip to main content

Are Children So Different Today?

    I recently overheard a person negatively state, "The children of today are not like the children
when I was a kid!" Really? My mind immediately pictured events in my own childhood, my own children and grandchildren, and the many kids that I shared a part in their lives. The strange thing is that I heard the same exact comment in the seventies as a first year teacher and frequently as a principal throughout the many years of my career.
     So just what is it that this statement is trying to suggest? Most often it is associated with a negative back sided comment referring to the behavior of a child and a belief that behavior in children was far better years ago. That is nothing but old fashion 'hogwash'. Children have been children forever!
     Let's be clear... it is us, the adults, that have not taken the time to understand the concepts of childhood. Our forefathers and many of our adults today have one thing in common - a lack of knowledge in a child's development and the importance of outstanding parenting! Here are just a few suggestions to consider:


  1. Start with a true and honest examination of your priorities as a parent. You may say that your children are #1, but does your daily interactions demonstrate it? When I see high tech devices constantly taking the time of parents I truly wonder...
  2. Become knowledgeable of this stage in the development of your child. Read! Watch videos! Listen to speakers! As an example, a parent was trying to help their second grade student with a math problem. The question said, "If 2+2=4 then what + 4=7?" The child couldn't figure it out and the parent became frustrated trying to get the concept across to their kid. Solution - at about the age of most second graders they finally begin to understand abstract thinking, but not all! Give them time to develop and they will eventually understand the concept. For now keep their learning very concrete and visual. Even talking about it can be too abstract.
  3. Discipline is always controversial, but let me say this. It is not enough to just keep talking about a behavior that is bad for the child. Keep in mind that behavior will always continue as long as the child enjoys it. If they do not enjoy the behavior, they will stop; but you as a parent must replace the inappropriate behavior with one that is appropriate and reward it until the new behavior is well established. Often parents extinguish the bad behavior and forget to establish the new one. This can result a whole new behavior far worse than the original one.
     I am sure that enough has been said for today about childhood, but keep this in mind as the Lorax might have suggested, "Who speaks for the children - who have no voice?" You do...

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE BOOK OF KATI - VOLUME 1 - CHANGES

Who said turning 13 was easy? You try to create  your new look, new clothes, and then you glance in the mirror - ugh! Nothing looks right! Your arms are too long, hair too bland, and no ‘pop’ to your eyes. How can the first day of seventh grade be so complicated yet, so exciting? Will you meet new friends? Will your old friends still like you? Is this the year you have your first boyfriend? What will he look like? So many questions! CHANGES has been adopted by thousands of 5th grade teachers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and more. Teachers are using the book series as a highly engaging read-aloud book in their classrooms, reading groups, and individually. "I personally recommend Changes to every 5th grade teacher and students ages 11-14.  Reviews by Students: "It's funny." "I loved it." "The best thing I've ever heard." "Wonderful book." "You are great writers." "Oliver...

THE BOOK OF KATI - VOLUME 3 - SECRETS

SECRETS  Sshh, can you keep a secret? Should you keep a secret? Life in Tiny continues to be full of adventures for the Cow Pie Gang and the Fair November brings the whole town to life. The trials and tribulations of tween life continues with first dates and first break ups. When Kati uncovers a huge secret, she is torn and doesn't know if she should tell or not. After a week of turmoil and soul searching she finds out that some secrets aren't meant to be kept while other secrets reveal delightful surprises. 5.0 out of 5 stars   Wonderful series Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2018 Love the characters in this series. They are strong, true to life middle schoolers growing up in a small town. The adults in their lives are hands on without being too intrusive. I really like how the author portrays the thought processes the kids go through trying to understand their own issues and those of the people around them.

Where Dreams Become Reality

In the early 1970's, I had just been assigned to my first classroom as a sixth grade teacher and had just finished writing my very first children's manuscript to fulfill a life-long dream. I read the story to my students as a classroom-read-aloud book just after the lunch recess each day for weeks. My heart jumped as I watched the positive reaction in my students. I asked several teachers if they would do same in their classrooms. The results were exactly the same. Without further hesitation, I approached a major publishing house with my sure fire children's hit and couldn't wait to see the book on shelves everywhere. My first response from the publishing house was a positive review and they passed it on to a second reader. This reader wasn't sure and gave it to a third reader. It was this reader that finally issued the rejection of the manuscript. My confidence was totally shattered. I placed the manuscript in my closet at home and stopped writing altogether. ...