"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."
-John Whitehead
Before you continue reading, pause for a moment, and reflect on this statement: "What a good kid!". As adults, and particularly educators, we use this phrase on a daily basis. It is generic, vague, and unobservable; however, we all seem to know exactly what it means. Unlike politics or religion, adults have a universal understanding of what this statement implies. The million dollar question: What are the characteristics of a good kid? I can tell you it is not intellect, athleticism, or musical prowess.
Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. It's asking a lonely classmate to play. It's making room at the lunch table. It's standing up for victims of bullying. It's reading a book to a little kid. It's giving a hug to your nemesis. It's taking a stand against inequality. It's including kids with special needs. That's a good kid!
Perseverance is defined as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It's finishing last in the mile run. It's reaching a goal. It's giving 100% effort. It's responding to adult feedback. It's starting over. It's utilizing resources. It's using failure to breed success. It's never giving up. That's a good kid!
Responsibility is defined as being answerable, or accountable, for something within one's power, control, or management. It's picking up your sister. It's honoring commitments. It's doing your homework. It's following through. It's being home at curfew. It's doing errands for your parents. It's being a sober driver. It's reporting unsafe behavior. It's getting to practice on time. It's thinking before you act. That's a good kid!
Compromise is defined as a settlement of difference by mutual concessions. It's apologizing even if you're right. It's playing 4 square the "right" way. It's group projects. It's giving your brother the remote. It's being a flexible thinker. It's letting your friend pick where to eat. It's sharing toys. It's handing over the ipad. It's doing work before play. It's family over partying. That's a good kid!
We all know good kids. As parents, and educators, we hope and pray that our actions will instill these qualities within our children. Unfortunately, competition, egocentrism, intolerance, and enabling are threatening our efforts. What if we were to give grades based the characteristics of being a good kid? What if athletic teams recruited players based on this? What if being a good kid was a requirement to participate in clubs? What if....
Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. It's asking a lonely classmate to play. It's making room at the lunch table. It's standing up for victims of bullying. It's reading a book to a little kid. It's giving a hug to your nemesis. It's taking a stand against inequality. It's including kids with special needs. That's a good kid!
Perseverance is defined as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It's finishing last in the mile run. It's reaching a goal. It's giving 100% effort. It's responding to adult feedback. It's starting over. It's utilizing resources. It's using failure to breed success. It's never giving up. That's a good kid!
Responsibility is defined as being answerable, or accountable, for something within one's power, control, or management. It's picking up your sister. It's honoring commitments. It's doing your homework. It's following through. It's being home at curfew. It's doing errands for your parents. It's being a sober driver. It's reporting unsafe behavior. It's getting to practice on time. It's thinking before you act. That's a good kid!
Compromise is defined as a settlement of difference by mutual concessions. It's apologizing even if you're right. It's playing 4 square the "right" way. It's group projects. It's giving your brother the remote. It's being a flexible thinker. It's letting your friend pick where to eat. It's sharing toys. It's handing over the ipad. It's doing work before play. It's family over partying. That's a good kid!
We all know good kids. As parents, and educators, we hope and pray that our actions will instill these qualities within our children. Unfortunately, competition, egocentrism, intolerance, and enabling are threatening our efforts. What if we were to give grades based the characteristics of being a good kid? What if athletic teams recruited players based on this? What if being a good kid was a requirement to participate in clubs? What if....
No comments:
Post a Comment