I have a very small class, one which keeps getting...

2011-10-15T06:15:39.664-07:00

I have a very small class, one which keeps getting smaller because of the social dynamics. I am trying character education. I am trying a class motto "Peace starts here." But I think I am going to try the idea of the three gates. Most of the conflict within my room is coming from the comments made from children. However, what do you do when they don't even know that it is their comments that are hurting others. I have tried parent outreach (w/o pointing fingers). Children repeat what they hear. f the parents know no boundaries then neither do the children.

Thanks so much for your very thoughtful comment, s...

2010-03-24T12:59:58.068-07:00

Thanks so much for your very thoughtful comment, some interesting things to think about especially in terms of competition.

Nice post. I just asked, and my wife doesn't ...

2010-03-18T20:26:27.719-07:00

Nice post. I just asked, and my wife doesn't recall hearing the three gates criteria in China--she was born and raised in China--but it's a big country, perhaps it's a regional thing. But it is a nice strategy anyway, in my view, one that I intend to talk about with my son.

Regarding the avoidance of competitive games, I don't know what to think. My son is in third grade right now, and I have been encouraging him to try to be kinder, as he is highly self centered at this stage of his life.

Due to his self centeredness, I have been having the some of the same problems with him that you describe in your class.

My wife has said that in China they do have a saying about 8 year old boys: Not even the dogs want to be around one. But that would not be kind of you to say in class:)

Back to competition, though...most boys like to compete. It is in their nature, IMO. Who is the fastest, strongest, smartest, etc.

Most girls like to cooperate, IMO. It is in their nature. My daughter could care less who wins when we play a game of chess--she just likes playing the game.

(Of course, there are exceptions. My wife was a highly competitive girl, and is still highly competitive.)

I am an not an expert, but I guess I would like to see competitive games also be offered at various times in my son's and daughter's classes, so that the boys can learn to compete in a way that is constructive, and girls can learn to enjoy healthy competition as well.

That is, I don't personally think competition is bad, though it can be done badly. And if we are going to teach the boys to be more cooperative, it's only fair to teach the girls to compete.

Competition and cooperation are necessary skills as an adult, for all genders, after all.

Comments on Minds in Bloom: 7 Ways to Help Children to Get Along

I have a very small class, one which keeps getting...

Thanks so much for your very thoughtful comment, s...

Nice post. I just asked, and my wife doesn't ...