Voices in the Library

 

http://youtu.be/VZlOfyU64xw

    I recently visited Stony Evan's library on the campus of Lakeside High School. The passion for student voice is inspiring, motivating, and truly contagious. A place where creativity and voice is not only welcomed but encouraged. The actual visit was just as inspiring as the video featured by the Arkansas Department of Education.

When Did We Forget?

   

A call for empathy, not judgement

 A call for love, not fear

    How is it that we forget what it is like to be a kid? Do we remember just how hard it is to sit in hard seats where often our feet do not touch the floor and listen to seemingly forever lectures of subject matter that may not interest us or be so far removed from our reality of day to day living that we just can't relate no matter how hard we try? How did we forget the embarrassing growl of our stomachs when we are hungry yet are two hours away from lunch? While the rule in the handbook states "no eating in class". How did we forget the rush to the bathroom in between classes in fear of being tardy? How did we forget the fear of a forgetting homework, forgetting lunch, forgetting anything for that matter? How did we forget the embarrassment of not passing a class, or yet not being on the list of "smart" kids? How did we forget the feeling of not measuring up? How did we forget what it is like to be laughed at for whatever reasons?

   In the real world, adults have choices such a choices of where to work, choices of where to attend worship. In the workplace we have protected rights. Rights to a bathroom as needed. Rights to breaks. Rights to protect from harassment and ridicule. Today's employers are looking for employees who can problem solve and collaborate, employees who can make decisions. Are we preparing children for the real world when schedules are regimented and structured with little or no choices throughout the day? Fear based punishments produce adults with little or no empathy. Regimented structures foster assembly line labor skills-following step by step instructions without question; however, these type of jobs are no longer the norm. In many instances kids have the same stresses and problems as adults, yet without any control to change the situation. No tools to solve today's problems let alone tomorrow's.

   Luke 18:16 reminds us that Jesus himself calls the children unto him. How precious they are. The Kingdom belongs to the children. Scripture goes on to warn those who causes the little ones to stumble.

When did we forget?

ONE HUNDRED WAYS or more!

   Loris Malaguzzi perhaps had a gift of seeing the child in ways that perhaps only the child can understand just not yet convey. The child whose possibilities are limitless within the realm of an environment which understands and inspires. In spite many good intentions, possibilities are often limited if not just down right diminished within the good works of the traditional classroom setting. I am reminded in scripture that even God values the voices of infants and children, as from their mouths He has ordained them. Matthew 21:16. Perhaps we should be still, and listen to the many languages of the child. 

THE HUNDRED LANGUAGES OF THE CHILD