First published 7th Jan 2009
Did you get to see the Channel 4 programme "Britain's Challenging Children" screened on Monday 5th Jan 2009 - I thought it was excellent and gave a real insight into how some schools are very successfully managing to include some damaged young people into a mainstream environment. Much better, in my view, that excluding and punishing them. After all, aren't we in schools, trying to build and emotionally literate environment and get away from the Victorian methods that some still perpetuate?
Behaviour management brings out a very emotional response and many readers may not agree with the views expressed here - that's ok. It also seems to become a very black and white standpoint with very few people sitting in the middle. I do realise this and have heard all the 'against' discussions in school contexts but I would really like to see this site focussing on the + comments and approaches rather than knocking the effort schools are putting in to help emotionally disabled young people.
I took a quick look at some of the responses and there were, of course, two opposite viewpoints. Here are some extracts
-I am watching it in anger....its like they are rewarding the bad ones! As per usual the hard workers receive nothing.
+ these children are distressed and that school is doing a good job --- they deserve praise... early intervention like this helps us all.. and saves money
- This programme adequately explained why this country is going down the pan. Behavioural problems? Most of these problems could be solved by six strikes on a bare backside with a cane or slipper.
In my primary school, the cane was rarely used (and never used on me) but we ALL lived in fear of it if we stepped out of line, and that in itself was often enough.
Two children fighting in a playground can be sorted out with a clip around the ear each and being told not to do it again. These days, sending them to "rainbow group" or "playgroup" or for a "cosy chat with a teacher" seems to be the order of the day.
All the so-called solutions in that programme showed bad behaviour being rewarded, at HUGE expense to the taxpayer. Actions don't have consequences in Britain anymore.
+ I can't believe people are automatically knocking an idea that works just because it isn't what they are used to.
+ It isn't the sixties any more. People have quite rightly decided that grown adults shouldn't be allowed to hit nine year olds with sticks. Time for a new solution.
- There is a big difference between disciplining a child and child abuse. Most of these children behave badly because nobody at home has ever punished bad behaviour before schooling. Schools should have the power to enforce rules and punish children accordingly, not only for the benefit of the child who is behaving badly, but for the benefit of all the children who actually want to learn.
- I agree with you in that children don't know consequences and think that they can do what they want. Some children need support but some are just naughty
When I went to school you were told off and not given 1 to 1 guidance.
+ But you aren't at school now. Things don't stay the same forever. This system appears to be working. Why not give it a chance?
- Except it isn't really working, is it? I live near a school and have done for the last 17 years. I have noticed a huge decline in behavioural standards in the last decade or so. I know several teachers who can't wait to retire because their classrooms are like zoos.
Sure, the children know all their "human rights" but don't seem to understand that with rights come responsibilities.
"Rainbow rooms" , "naughty rooms" and "special rooms" might work some of the time for some children. The kids in the programme looked like they were enjoying a treat- a nice meal, comfy seats, games etc...it's as if their behaviour is being rewarded rather than punished, at the cost of at least £40,000 per year to the taxpayer.
A cane, on the other hand, costs around £10 and delivers a short, sharp shock. Most children get the message pretty quickly this way.
The people I feel sorry for are the children who actually want to learn, but are prevented from doing so because of these brats.
I also feel sorry for children who deserve some sort of reward (such as going swimming) for good work, but don't get it because the budget has been spent on "helping" bad children.
all taken from Digital spy foum
Did you get to see the Channel 4 programme "Britain's Challenging Children" screened on Monday 5th Jan 2009 - I thought it was excellent and gave a real insight into how some schools are very successfully managing to include some damaged young people into a mainstream environment. Much better, in my view, that excluding and punishing them. After all, aren't we in schools, trying to build and emotionally literate environment and get away from the Victorian methods that some still perpetuate?
Behaviour management brings out a very emotional response and many readers may not agree with the views expressed here - that's ok. It also seems to become a very black and white standpoint with very few people sitting in the middle. I do realise this and have heard all the 'against' discussions in school contexts but I would really like to see this site focussing on the + comments and approaches rather than knocking the effort schools are putting in to help emotionally disabled young people.
I took a quick look at some of the responses and there were, of course, two opposite viewpoints. Here are some extracts
-I am watching it in anger....its like they are rewarding the bad ones! As per usual the hard workers receive nothing.
+ these children are distressed and that school is doing a good job --- they deserve praise... early intervention like this helps us all.. and saves money
- This programme adequately explained why this country is going down the pan. Behavioural problems? Most of these problems could be solved by six strikes on a bare backside with a cane or slipper.
In my primary school, the cane was rarely used (and never used on me) but we ALL lived in fear of it if we stepped out of line, and that in itself was often enough.
Two children fighting in a playground can be sorted out with a clip around the ear each and being told not to do it again. These days, sending them to "rainbow group" or "playgroup" or for a "cosy chat with a teacher" seems to be the order of the day.
All the so-called solutions in that programme showed bad behaviour being rewarded, at HUGE expense to the taxpayer. Actions don't have consequences in Britain anymore.
+ I can't believe people are automatically knocking an idea that works just because it isn't what they are used to.
+ It isn't the sixties any more. People have quite rightly decided that grown adults shouldn't be allowed to hit nine year olds with sticks. Time for a new solution.
- There is a big difference between disciplining a child and child abuse. Most of these children behave badly because nobody at home has ever punished bad behaviour before schooling. Schools should have the power to enforce rules and punish children accordingly, not only for the benefit of the child who is behaving badly, but for the benefit of all the children who actually want to learn.
- I agree with you in that children don't know consequences and think that they can do what they want. Some children need support but some are just naughty
When I went to school you were told off and not given 1 to 1 guidance.
+ But you aren't at school now. Things don't stay the same forever. This system appears to be working. Why not give it a chance?
- Except it isn't really working, is it? I live near a school and have done for the last 17 years. I have noticed a huge decline in behavioural standards in the last decade or so. I know several teachers who can't wait to retire because their classrooms are like zoos.
Sure, the children know all their "human rights" but don't seem to understand that with rights come responsibilities.
"Rainbow rooms" , "naughty rooms" and "special rooms" might work some of the time for some children. The kids in the programme looked like they were enjoying a treat- a nice meal, comfy seats, games etc...it's as if their behaviour is being rewarded rather than punished, at the cost of at least £40,000 per year to the taxpayer.
A cane, on the other hand, costs around £10 and delivers a short, sharp shock. Most children get the message pretty quickly this way.
The people I feel sorry for are the children who actually want to learn, but are prevented from doing so because of these brats.
I also feel sorry for children who deserve some sort of reward (such as going swimming) for good work, but don't get it because the budget has been spent on "helping" bad children.
all taken from Digital spy foum