Well sure, children can be considered members of society since anyone that is born into our society is a member. But what we are trying to create or mold are contributing, responsible members of society.A working teenager who earns a paycheck and is paying back into the system can be considered a contributing member of society as well as the teenager who volunteers his time at the homeless shelter.
In terms of safety and emergency procedures, I don't think young children can be responsible for the whole. The jobs of creating crisis plans and procedures should be left to those that have experience or are educated in that area. I listed many types of emergencies in my presentation and some disasters that occurred due to these emergency situations and I think that a level headed, forward thinking adult must be in charge. That is for sure not to say all adults are level headed in these situations, some children may be more so, but sureness and wisdom seem necessary.
So many psychological and psychosocial implications happen after a crisis takes place. There is proof that children as well as adults must have immediate grief counseling and this responsibility falls on the school administration. We must take care of our members of society that belong to the smaller school family in order that they are well adjusted and thus able to contribute.
I agree with David Gribble in that children are already members of society but I don't think that teachers have overlooked this idea. I think that teachers may consider children miniature members that need to gain knowledge and experience and we should treat them with the respect they deserve at each stage of the process. It would be interesting to hear Gribble's opinion on what consequences transpire due to that overlooked truth.
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Deb-
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that a "level headed" adult must be in charge. But I was thinking over how we could also offer some leadership to the students. Maybe having an open conversation with the students to set up the procedures could be helpful. I always feel like when I contribute to creating something I have a better understanding of the situation and why it is being carried out this way. The teacher could even already have the procedures set-up and steer the conversation in the direction he/she thinks will be successful.
Example: Teacher to class, "What do you think will help us to know what is going on and where we should go?" Class: "To pay attention quietly and listen for directions." Thus the rule, "No talking and listen for directions is born for emergencies." Now the children know why they should be quiet and might be more likely to follow directions. Maybe this would help them to stay calm too because they understand the importance, its not just a random rule.
Just a thought... any other ideas?
Derek, I like what your said regarding teachers looking at children as miniature members who need growth and experience. I do think that children are members in society and contribute in their own way. Kids are like flowers in a garden, cliche', but true! You have to nurture them, water them with knowledge and pull the surrounding weeds.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of school safety, when a crisis situation occurs in a school setting, children definitely need a support system to help process the event and deal with the emotional outcomes. I can only imagine what students go through after experiencing a traumatic event. School is home away from home for some and it's unfortunate when their safehaven becomes threatened.
As a younger school nurse, I try my best to understand the attitudes and backgrounds of the students and parents I encounter. The rule I try to follow is, "You never judge a book by it's cover", easier said than done. I'm sympathetic toward some parents but then again, I feel they need a reminder...they are the parent. I like to think I do my job well but the question I want to ask the parent...are you?
Steff, There is so much truth to having more understanding when you create something of your own! You own it then, you have responsibility to it. More explanation to the children for greater understanding is a great idea and may lessen the tedium they may be feeling when they perform all these drills. They need to be reminded of the need and importance often.
ReplyDeleteI know that in some schools(all?) there are crisis intervention teams, but do all the teachers have an opportunity to "create" a part of that plan or give their ideas? Give ownership in plans and actions and results might be surprising.
Ria, I do think that even the best intentioned parents need a reminder of what goes on in school everyday. Maybe all those reminders will urge them to reconsider their responsibility and if they are lacking. In terms of crisis counseling, parents play such an important role and some may not even realize it. Maybe they feel lost in that they don't know what to do. If given more info and education, they may feel empowered. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, www.aacap.org, says that children are extremely sensitive to parents worries in a crisis but if parents are given tools to cope, for themselves and their children, I think it would help. This site offers some links to questions and actions that parents can take when these critical events happen.
ReplyDeleteWe would like to believe that all children will go home after a crisis to a loving family who would provide support needed for a scared child. However, the reality is that is not always the case. Schools should have some crisis counseling available for children or have places to recommend to a parent for services. What surprised me in Deb's presentation was the concern that drills supposedly cause anxiety for children. I guess I just had not seen that, because if anything, we take our drills too lightly. Has anyone seen anxiety caused by safety drills in your students? I have 4th and 5th graders and they are just glad for the break. Is this concern real? Do we need to provide debriefing or counseling to our students after a safety drill?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Steff, I think it is so important to include the students in creating the rules or expectations even if you are leading it in a certain direction. Some type of responsibility is important at any age, and if or when an emergency does arise, they will know that they contributed to helping the procedure for the emergency run more smoothly...
ReplyDeleteI came across a study that was published in 2007 in School Psychology Review (vol. 36, no. 3)called "Effects of an Intruder Drill on Children's Knowledge, Anxiety, and Perceptions of School Safety." Their main finding was that the intervention group had higher post-test scores regarding knowledge of what to do, and they found no difference in the anxiety or perceptions of school safety between the groups. Their conclusion: "Findings suggest that drills implemented according to best practice may have the potential to increase short-term knowledge and skill acquisition without subsequently altering anxiety or perceived safety."
ReplyDeleteAnyone know of any other such studies?
I definetly think that children are members of society in general, but I also feel that within schools we create little societies of our own that they are a major part of. Much like a family would have it's own emergency plan, each classroom or family has theirs. It is a good idea to give children some ownership and decision making in this process. I agree with those above that they may take it more seriously and actually make the situation go more smoothly.
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