A golden rule that’s taught at a young age is to treat everyone as you want to be treated. Although, it’s a simple rule to follow, often people just don’t get it. When not treated well, especially when you’re a child, it can be devastating. One thing I love about the spirt of Humankind, is when it comes to children, most will speak up when they witness something that is not right; then you have others who will just act. With this, welcome today’s guest-blogger as they share on how some children are just organically grown advocates.
Shari
My son, Kyle, who has a developmental disability, never attended a mainstream class while going to school. Kyle liked to be isolated and would have outburst of anger at times when he was on sensory overload. Kyle needed many aids and I thank God for the dedication of many special teachers that we encountered throughout his school age years. Without them, Kyle would not be able to even sign his name, but he can write his name and, at one point, could read at a second-grade level.
It was a difficult time during his school age years and still is at times, but we continue to push whenever needed. It takes a toll on the whole family, especially siblings. The time and effort it took to handle Kyle took away from others and to be truthful, I was never emotionally available for anything else.
So, I wonder, what is the perspective from other school age children that encounter a person in their class that has a disability? Do they help? Do they shy away? It is important to teach children that not everyone is the same. We all have differences, and those differences should be embraced. There are too many times we hear about bullies and how they can affect the lives of many children.
Recently, I was told a story about a student who was developmentally disabled. One day on the playground, some bullies took her ball she was playing with; this really upset some other classmates, so they stood up for her, retrieved her ball, and told the “bullies” to shape up or ship out. Other students who saw what happen informed the teacher. The teacher gave out awards the next day to the students who helped and said they did a great deed. So now, after that great life lesson, most of the kids include the student in the classroom and the playground. As this is a such a great thing, I also feel like there should not be a need for others to stand up to a bunch of bullies. As I said earlier, not everyone is made the same and children should be taught at a young age that differences are what makes the world go around and maybe one day, more children will stop be being bullies and embrace all their fellow students.
Shari I was always told to be careful how you treat someone, that person could be an angel in disguise While I was teaching I had a young man in my class who was mainstream from SBHD(Severe Behavioral Handicap Disorder) its probably another political correct title today. However, I would notice how he was always ready (without being told) that it was learning/instructional time. The young man was honored to have been mainstream. I was honored when I was told by the principal that he not only had the highest score in our school, but in the district for passing the test on the The United States Constitution. I watched a brother with behavior problem, take my eldest sister arm and escorted her to her seat at our mother’s Committal Services. Never underestimate the ability of another person, never..
Love this story!
Children can be mean, and can be so sweet! Examples like this help them understand and learn how and why to be kind!