Expected, Inspected, & Respected.
"We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience."
-John Dewey |
"We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience."
-John Dewey |
Many parents believe that if their child gets hit, their child has the right to hit back. I guess they haven’t heard that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth makes the whole world blind and toothless. However, parents and children at Strathcona sign an agreement at the beginning of the year that clearly states, “Fighting, rough play, threats, name calling, swearing, insults or put-downs are not acceptable behaviours”. This agreement is based on the ideals of love, kindness, and peace.
In my own education at private Mennonite schools from Grade 1-12, the same ideals were stressed in the form of biblical scripture: the golden rule, loving your enemies, and turning the other cheek. In an elementary school setting, I think these maxims do a very good job of cultivating ethical behaviour in children, although I’m glad that the moral education of children in public schools doesn’t include the threat of hellfire and damnation in order to coerce children to do the right thing. I believe violence begets violence and often escalates a situation; it does not solve any problems, it only creates more. If and when I encounter pushback from parents who encourage their children to hit back, I will try to reason with them and share my views on cycles of violence and how restorative practices and forgiveness are the tools that can lead to healing. I know that changing the minds of adults who believe violence can solve their problems is a battle I may not win, and that’s ok. I know how to turn the other cheek.
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David Wiebe
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