Why?

Working with a child this morning and they had asked me why something had happened, my response (and a honest one) was “because you are fab!”

His response “huh! Fab, I don’t think so, I’m not fab, I can’t even work out what 7×4 is”

Why is it that a child in the upper years of primary school should feel that he ‘isn’t clever’ just because he couldn’t work out straight away (like his peer) the answer to 7×4!

Working with this young man on a one:one basis once a week I am privy to how exceptional his mind and intelligence actually is. I am of the opinion that once he has navigated the education system and is in the wide world of work, he will do exceptionally well, in the grown up world!

He recalls facts about information that most of his age group and peers would not even comprehend! But the fact that it took him “ten seconds, to work out 7×4” makes him compelled to say that he isn’t clever, it makes him feel that the others in the class are cleverer than he is…well for those of you who know me, you, I’m sure can already guess my response to this; for those of you that don’t know me, my response was reactive, truthful and spontaneous. I found myself saying the child’s name on full in a shocked voice, he looked at me, and I continued to say “… You ARE fab, you’re a clever young man who knows so much about plains trains and boats, the world, volcanoes and lots of other things that your class mates have yet to learn, don’t you ever, let anyone, tell you , you’re not clever! Do you understand me?”
His response was a clear and proud “yes, ok!” And I swear he shifted in his seat to a comfortable position, his back straightened and his head was held high as he answered.

How can so many bright, intelligent, smart, funny, interesting young people be so negatively influenced by situations that happen in the classroom?

I work with adults and so often situations such as this have stuck with an individual into their adult years and have so often been the hinderance to our futures!

Advice:

Parents: celebrate your achievements and your children’s achievements academic and non academic, if your children see you embracing positivity they will do the same.

Teachers and educators: try to make sure every student feels worthwhile, valued and appreciated, they all have something to offer, and usually it’s the things they excelle at that will be their futire, but interestingly its these thigns that they think everyone else can do just as easily , because they find it easy…most are shocked when they elarn that others cant do what they do!

Everyone: celebrate your successes and achievements, not bragging celebrating, note how you feel and embrace the positivity!

Eli wilkinson
(pronounced Ellie – dyslexic parents!)