Last week I read about another example of schools not using
common sense and good judgment.
A
school called police after a kindergartner with Down syndrome pointed a finger
gun at her teacher.
We need to stop having these knee jerk reactions and getting
back to using good judgment.
A six-year-old child does not understand the impact of
making this gesture and needs to be taught it is inappropriate. She should not
be arrested.
How many young children hit their parents? Do we have them
arrested for assault and battery? No, we teach them that this behavior is
inappropriate.
If a student takes a pencil or candy from another student’s
desk without their permission, do we have them arrested for stealing? No, we
teach them that this behavior is inappropriate.
Years ago, I had a high school student with Down Syndrome
who pulled the fire alarm. He was encouraged to do it by older students in the
general education classes. The administration wanted my student arrested and
after a lengthy discussion, he was not arrested. I explained that my student
was aware that he had done something wrong. When a person does something wrong,
he usually hides the fact and won’t admit it. My student admitted it, laughed
and thought it would help him be liked by his peers. The parents, the administration,
and I sat down with the student and calmly explained why this was wrong. We
also explained that there would be consequences if it happened again. Then it
was important to bring in the boys who had encouraged him to do this and
explain the consequences for them also. They were guilty of taking advantage of
my student and encouraging him to break the law, which made them accessories to
the “crime.” This was a learning experience for my students, his parents, and
also the other boys who thought they were being funny and playing a joke on my
student.
We need to stop looking at children mimicking adult behavior
(from watching TV, the news, the movies, etc.) as criminals and take the time
to teach them appropriate behavior!
Do you agree or disagree? Please share.
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