Is it developmentally appropriate to raise issues of injustice with young children?
145071
absolutely. The biggest favor you can do for a child is to challenge them. I think it is important to speak to children as if they are adults. Of course, you still must be sympathetic to their needs and ways of understanding things, but it is important to engage children in as many conversations as possible. Make them think.
119633
Everything is about what we are taught. If you put three children together who are not old enough to have misconceptions and bigotry, they will play and have fun based on their base feelings. \n\nThis way of thinking is taught and I say "shame on them" to the parents allowing this, but then again, the parents were taught as well.\n\nLike all bad habits, the chain must be broken by rethinking the way of believing ones own truths.
69164
It's great that you acknowledge your problem and want to resolve it. First you must reprogram yourself (so to speak). You have to learn how to control how you react to people. I think you may just need to feel like you are being listened to, and if you don't that could cause frustrations to mount and fuses to become short. Try to address something before it becomes a big problem. Change your approach. If you're losing your cool with kids, try getting on their level and look them eye to eye and sincerely talk to them and tell them why certain things are important and that you don't want to get upset or yell at them but if they don't respect your wishes it could cause you to get upset and that they can help prevent that by showing that they are listening and respecting you. Just remember you can't control other ppl but you can control how you react to them.
130421
Of course I would. No doubt about it.\nIts extremely important to teach kids at a young age that we are all humans and its just the packaging that's different. I'm mexican and my husband is white, my daughter is white and I could never teach my daughter different values.\nby the way she already has some interracial dolls ;)
1037547
I think it is a good idea. After all, you pointed out that homosexuality exists whether we like it or not and we can't really keep kids heads buried in the sand for the rest of their lives. If you are a teacher, I also feel that you can do a better job of approaching this issue with objectivity than some parents can. I would just point out that it is a choice that some consenting adults make and leave it at that.
80443
Haven't you heard of the term constructive criticism . . . \n\nSometimes . . . I am harsh . . . (well not sometimes . . . most of the time) . . . . but that is my personality.\n\nI want some of these kids . . . to grow up happy and not miserable.  People sit around and do nothing are worse . . . because they have given up on themselves and others . . . . \n\nI am not going to sit around and kiss your A** . . . because you are screwing up . . . I am going to stand up and tell you.
197578
A child's punishment should meet what the problem is. Sending a child to their room because they snuck something doesn't teach them why they shouldn't do it or give them reason to think twice about it. If the child is hitting or swearing or harming someone else... Putting them somewhere they can think about what they did or where they can be safe and verbalizing that to them can benefit the child. Think about what you want for your child... one of those things would probably be to be intelligent and what better way but teaching them properly when doing something wrong. For instance stealing... It would be best to make the child return whatever they stole... or eating in the living room when they are not supposed to. Remove their privilege to eat in the living room on a special night like if you eat popcorn while watching a movie (if the child is older and knows better). Hitting a child only teaches them to hit and putting a child in their room only teaches them they can't be around other people... which in some ways might be the right way to go but not always. Think about what you want your child to get out of what your doing or saying. Yelling only teaches them to yell too. They aren't doing their homework then don't let them do what they would rather be doing... for instance if they would rather play games... remove their privilege or if necessary remove the games! Yes mom this might be the only way to go! Think then punish.\n\nExpecting a child to apologize will only make them think that sorry doesn't really mean anything... if you model using an apology then the child will learn the meaning behind it. I have also found that having a child that has been the victim of harm from another gets the best benefit if you help them tell the person their feelings and letting them know that it hurt them.
1141820
Very smart thought. I have taught my children to pick their battles.\nOh they are 24-30 yrs old - not children but mine. My son is a Ranger in Army ( his battle is safety of democracy), My youngest,( a mother of twin sons, like you is an environmentalist - she wants her children to have a beautiful earth like she does, my oldest is a stay at home mother that has chosen children's rights to fight for. I am very political but the plight of the homeless - making sure they are fed & have a safe place to go is my fight that I work with the most. Now with my son, I am involved with the Military much more. You are right, we must pick our battles & fight with all we have. I love the United States of America & must work harder to defend it from enemies outside & within our borders. Thanks for reminding me.\n\nIt is hard to tell by our battles but we are a whole family of Republicans.
883509
I'd start out by saying something like people need to take responsibility for their actions and continuing to point a finger isn't going to fix anything.  It might be hard to admit that their kids did something bad cause then it might mean that they aren't being very good parents.  Pointing a finger of blame may be the easiest way for them to not admit they aren't doing a good enough of job.
830065
We are- the way we're taught. So if a particular Society deems it "appropriate" to bring up its children in a certain way- then THAT'S the way they'll tend to turn out. Check out the value system of any given Culture- & you'll have a pretty good idea of what those people will tend to be like. As for whether they'll ever change...- don't count on it. Change is experienced, -it can't be "taught"..
191253
using behavior management to stifle a child's natural energy and creativity.  At least that's my opinion.
1172437
We should always respect our elders and others around us.  So, if the kids are speaking their mind in a civil non-foul way, then it's okay.  If they do it in a crude way, then it's not.
949874
If your child is causing other children harm their is a proper way many teachers are thought to restarint a kid. Other wise I dont think you are suppposed to.
191387
I would have to say that in a sense, it is stripping a child of a great deal of their freedom to choose their religious beliefs later in life.\n\nMany people do not realize that it is indoctrination.  If you raise a child to think that something is right, and all other things are wrong, than that child is going to most likely continue to think that all of their life.\n\nA perfect example is abuse or bigotry.  Studies have shown that a child raised in an abusive home is much more likely to grow up and think that abuse is normal and ok, and therefore, to abuse their spouse and/or children.\n\nSomeone who grows up in a home where bigotry is prominent is likely to grow up thinking that bigotry is normal and ok, and thus perpetuate the cycle.\n\nThe same thing with religion.  Many people grow up being taught a certain religion all of their childhood years, and continue to believe that religion is good and right.\n\nAs for moral and ethical teachings, you don't need religion to teach a child about morals and ethics.  I don't need any holy doctrine to teach me that it is wrong to use violence when it is not neccessary, or to teach me that it is not right to steal.\n\nIf people are wanting to find a middle ground, a compromise, than raise your child(ren) in your religion, but do not be close-minded.  Tell them that it is ok to look into other religions, and try to find people who follow other religons so that when your children have questions, there is someone there to answer the questions that has the appropriate knowledge, and not some preconceived, uneducated opinion.  And please, do not take the route that my family took, i.e. "I dont care what religion you follow as long as it recognizes that there is only one God and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior."\n\nPersonally, I feel that it is best to raise children in such a way as to leave religion out of their upbringing as much as possible, so that when the child is old enough, they can come to the parent with questions.
265099
A lot of early childhood development is still going off of the workds of Piaget, Vigogosty, Freud, Skinner, and Maslow.  \n\nWhat specifically are you looking for?  This is a very broad question.
855971
I agree with you that there should be a balance.\nChildren need to be able to express their selves and their feeling's, but they need to do it in a respectful way. I think my husband and I are doing a good job of installing that in our children, and I only hope it stays with them throughout their life!
842145
Only if it is harmful to them, or if they already have too much of what they like.  Generally, we should give our children good things.