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From: Marija
Date: 10/20/03
Time: 2:16:54 PM
Remote Name: 195.29.97.62
Hello Jennifer,
There are many ways to ask child a question other then asking it in front of 30 peers. There is a yard, there is a tree, there is a bench, there is a tape recorder at home. I'm not suggesting to let that child be quiet. Imagine there's a PWS among your friends and you know she fears public talking. You go on one by one, telling jokes. What would you do when the turn comes to this person? Would you say without a blink: "You now!" - or would it be "How do you feel about this?" or "Do you wish to do this too?" Why would children be terrorized if adults aren't? I oppose it with all my heart because that pain HURTS and ACHES and I still feel it after 25 years when I think of those times.
Avoidance is not good. But what good does it do to a stuttering child if it stands in front of the group, opens mouth and blocks for 2 minutes? What does other children's laughter do to a child? What does his or her own crying in front of such a large group and in front of a teacher do to that child? It makes him feel that adults are mean - because SHE, the TEACHER who is supposed to protect him is doing the opposite - mocking him. THIS IS HOW THE CHILD FEELS.
THOSE ARE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THEY NEED DIFFERENT TALKING SETTINGS AND THEY NEED CHOICES AND THEY NEED UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT O F T H E A D U L T S!!! ONE OF THE PRIMARY NEEDS IS S A F E T Y AND THEY LOSE IT AT SUCH A SMALL AGE BECAUSE THEIR NEEDS AREN'T RECOGNIZED BY ADULTS WHO THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO TRUST.
Sorry, am I yelling? I didn't mean to, it just pulled me...
About drawing: in my kindergarden it all revolved around telling stories and asking questions. I felt very isolated, enchained in my silence and the pain was sometimes ripping my chest apart. I longed to be more involved and any activity would have done it. I remember I talked the easiest around the lockers where we used to change our clothes. I wish the teachers gave me a quiz about a lesson while sitting on that small bench, unformally.
I could write about this for hours but am getting a feeling of "being too absorbed". So I'll stop!
Warmest greetings from
Marija