My name is Melissa Denning. I am a parenting educator and early childhood teacher. I started this blog as a way share thoughts and resources with parents and caregivers. I hope this is a space to encourage one another in the role of parenting. My hope is that this can be a safe space for those with young children to connect. I hope you are able to read, reflect and share your experiences with one another. Enjoy!
Saturday, February 26, 2022
A Silver Platter
Thursday, February 24, 2022
The Judgments We Place on Kids and Families
I recently read the article Why is That Child So Rude by Beth Lindsey Templeton. I encourage you to read the article and share your thoughts with me either in the comments or when I see you next.
For those of you that know me personally you know exactly how this article sits with me. Who are we to assume what is going on with a child or a family? Seriously, can we make assumptions based on the limited knowledge we have in our hands?
The article points out some examples of the assumptions humans make. It also leaves our another handful of options that could be the reason why. It seems this article focuses mainly on issues of income or parent working split shifts. Although this is a significant area where funds of knowledge differ, I see gaps in only sharing one perspective. There are other funds of knowledge that the article did not address. I will try to explain a few missed opportunities for other funds of knowledge.
Children with special needs. Could it be possible that a child might show up daily with the same clothes on because they are sensitive to clothing and will only wear specific shirts or pants? Could a child that interrupts frequently have a delay in short term memory which leads to shouting out before they forget what they were going to say?
Children with mental health situations. Might a child that is sleeping in class fall asleep because they feel safe at school. Perhaps this child spends the night wide awake due to domestic abuse, addictive parents or sexual assault potential in their home. Is school the only safe place to sleep? Perhaps! Mental health can also increase the need for control. Children might be viewed as bossy when their desire for control enhances. A child might wear the same clothes or be withdrawn if they have fallen into a state of depression. If a child is depressed are they rude for sleeping or do they need support and this is their way of seeking help?
These are just two funds of knowledge that are left out of this article from my perspective. There are many others left out as well. If we, as parents and educators, continue to judge children and families without trying to walk beside them and figure out the details are we really doing what is best for children?
As adults we teach young children to be kind, compassionate, show empathy, be caring and help others out. Yet, at times, the adults are the people making assumptions about families based on the actions of children. How many times have you heard "where were the parents?" or "If that were my child." statements?
We can do better. We can change our judgements into curiosity. When we become curious we learn. When we learn we can figure out the root of the perceived rude and support the child and the family in whatever they are walking through.
The power is yours!
Run with it.
Sunday, February 13, 2022
What Stories are We Sharing?
I recently was asked to listen to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as she shared the danger of a single story in a TED talk. As I listened to her speak I began to question stories shared within our homes and schools. I observed stories shared at circle time within classrooms, I scanned the libraries in our community and the books on the shelves in my own house.
I realized that we, as in every person alive, have a lot of work to do in sharing the stories of others. Not only in the books we have in our hands but the stories we share verbally in our communities and the discussions that take place in and out of our schools.
Check out her TED talk here.
A Silver Platter
I love hard. I care deep. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I also offer others trust on a silver platter. ...