If I Had a Dream: Equity Would Be the Norm for Every Classroom and Home
Dear Readers,
If I had a dream...
Equity would be the "norm" for every classroom and home. No one child or few children would ever be seen as better than another child or group of children in one family or class because of _________.
Each child- with strengths and weaknesses- would all be be seen as unique, beautiful individuals- different and ready to be loved.
Every child's life would be viewed with purpose and his/her time with any supervising adult would be viewed as precious and important.
If I had a dream...
The world wouldn't be in such a hustle to be productive and rob our children of their childhood.
As a teacher, parent, and/or advocate for young lives, I would do whatever was in my power to creatively meet the "world's" standards in a child friendly way.
Boundaries would be more clear with technology and electronics.
PLAY. Just Imaginative, Physical, Exploratory, and Sensory PLAY.
would be made available and would be planned in weekly routines and schedules.
If I had a dream...
We would talk to our young children and talk around young children in ways that ONLY model respect.
We would fill their minds with words, questions, and ideas by reading to them often.
We would make time for conversations other than the basic exchanges of needs, wants, and commands.
We would engage in relationships with our kids so they know we are human and have needs too.
We would engage in relationships with our kids so they know we are human and have needs too.
We would prioritize those relationships with our children as they are still growing so they are secure in their existence and potential.
Ahh potential.
If I had a dream...
Every parent, caregiver, and teacher would see the potential in every child.
Instead of judging them by their history, talk, and/or actions, each parent, caregiver, and teacher would think of them in terms of their future and cast vision on where that potential could lead them to be...
ONE. DAY.
If I had a dream...
Kids would be afforded time and space to "grow" into expectations- whether behavioral or academic.
Lessons and planned activities would strategically and creatively meet all the needs of the students in the classroom or home.
Each child may be doing the "same" thing and given the "same" opportunity- but it's catered to that individual child's set level, interest, or need.
If I had a dream...
We would talk about our kids at home and school beyond: what are we doing with them at or on ________...
We would exchange not only praises and fun stories, but we would have the courage to talk about the "hard" things that need to change and hinder growth and learning.
Instead of judging them by their history, talk, and/or actions, each parent, caregiver, and teacher would think of them in terms of their future and cast vision on where that potential could lead them to be...
ONE. DAY.
If I had a dream...
Kids would be afforded time and space to "grow" into expectations- whether behavioral or academic.
Lessons and planned activities would strategically and creatively meet all the needs of the students in the classroom or home.
Each child may be doing the "same" thing and given the "same" opportunity- but it's catered to that individual child's set level, interest, or need.
If I had a dream...
We would talk about our kids at home and school beyond: what are we doing with them at or on ________...
We would exchange not only praises and fun stories, but we would have the courage to talk about the "hard" things that need to change and hinder growth and learning.
This is my dream as a grown woman... mother of almost 5 and public school teacher of almost 10 years.
With one child, anything seems possible as a teacher or parent.
As the numbers grow, the needs and differences get overwhelming.
At first, you stay afloat...but then,
you. quickly. fall. into. the. trap. of. neglecting. personal. needs. and burn out is inevitable.
Well I'm learning to KEEP the dream of an equitable family and classroom alive in a more healthy, manageable way. For me, I had to give up on implementing too many individualized plans and management systems all at the same time.
I rely on...STRONG
Relationships.
Communication.
Discipline.
actually... all in that order.
At home and school, after the fourth kid, I have realized my own limitations mentally and physically. Obviously, with the start of this blog being one of the changes, I knew I could never approach things in the same way.
I really see my time with the kids as important and intentional. If I want them to learn from anyone, I want it to be me. So, I am more aware to stop and notice/ address/ greet/ talk to them- even when inconvenienced.
I really cleaned up my expectations and boundaries- at home and school- to be consistent and clear for all of them... in developmentally appropriate ways.
I held myself more accountable to my words and I put more confidence behind my talk. I listened and observed more, so I could choose my words more personally. So far, I've never met a child who didn't responds positively to that.
I don't talk to my kids any differently than I talk to my own husband. I don't say... chairs are for sitting- I say I think you should sit down on that chair for safety. I do say "no" sometimes to fun activities or events if it doesn't serve the family or class well as a whole. If I do accommodate for an individual, it's a special circumstance and it's communicated in a way that respects the hearts of the siblings or classmates left behind.
Instead of behavior plans, rewards, and fancy incentive systems. I just became more consistent with using set privileges and consequences both at home and in the classroom. They always know what to expect even when mistakes are made, so it has given my children (both at home and school) the opportunity to be responsible even for their mistakes. At this point of the year, both my kids at home and school, give themselves their own consequences before I even have to tell them.
It has been truly humbling to witness because I didn't even think they were capable of ever doing that.
That shows you how narrow-minded I used to be.
My dreams of equity is about believing our young kids are STILL capable of great things
in a hard world of gaps and differences.
If there are enough of us, fighting for this dream at home and in the classroom,
Every child would be afforded the privilege to live. their. best. life.
Thanks for reading!
Love. Always,
Crystal
With one child, anything seems possible as a teacher or parent.
As the numbers grow, the needs and differences get overwhelming.
At first, you stay afloat...but then,
you. quickly. fall. into. the. trap. of. neglecting. personal. needs. and burn out is inevitable.
Well I'm learning to KEEP the dream of an equitable family and classroom alive in a more healthy, manageable way. For me, I had to give up on implementing too many individualized plans and management systems all at the same time.
I rely on...STRONG
Relationships.
Communication.
Discipline.
actually... all in that order.
At home and school, after the fourth kid, I have realized my own limitations mentally and physically. Obviously, with the start of this blog being one of the changes, I knew I could never approach things in the same way.
I really see my time with the kids as important and intentional. If I want them to learn from anyone, I want it to be me. So, I am more aware to stop and notice/ address/ greet/ talk to them- even when inconvenienced.
I really cleaned up my expectations and boundaries- at home and school- to be consistent and clear for all of them... in developmentally appropriate ways.
I held myself more accountable to my words and I put more confidence behind my talk. I listened and observed more, so I could choose my words more personally. So far, I've never met a child who didn't responds positively to that.
I don't talk to my kids any differently than I talk to my own husband. I don't say... chairs are for sitting- I say I think you should sit down on that chair for safety. I do say "no" sometimes to fun activities or events if it doesn't serve the family or class well as a whole. If I do accommodate for an individual, it's a special circumstance and it's communicated in a way that respects the hearts of the siblings or classmates left behind.
Instead of behavior plans, rewards, and fancy incentive systems. I just became more consistent with using set privileges and consequences both at home and in the classroom. They always know what to expect even when mistakes are made, so it has given my children (both at home and school) the opportunity to be responsible even for their mistakes. At this point of the year, both my kids at home and school, give themselves their own consequences before I even have to tell them.
It has been truly humbling to witness because I didn't even think they were capable of ever doing that.
That shows you how narrow-minded I used to be.
My dreams of equity is about believing our young kids are STILL capable of great things
in a hard world of gaps and differences.
If there are enough of us, fighting for this dream at home and in the classroom,
Every child would be afforded the privilege to live. their. best. life.
Thanks for reading!
Love. Always,
Crystal
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