This section had many themes, but the most interesting was the critique of aggression in the classroom. The lecture says that this problem is the most pervasive problems seen today, and without discouragement, it is a problem that is self-reinforcing.
The best way to attack a problem like aggression in the child would be to use the idea of peer popularity 'against them.' Now, I don't mean telling Bobby that if he doesn't "straighten up and fly right," he'll be unpopular with the rich kids. But at a young age, children are concerned with how their peers view them, so the right approach might be to tell our invented elementary-aged 'Bobby' that behavior meant to harm or injure people (physically or not) will not make him well-loved. A simple "No one will want to play with you if you keep acting like this." This way - it's not me, the teacher, reacting to him treating people like he is. It's me saying how everyone else will react; and direct peer attitudes are of great concern to a younger child. The teacher should also use the idea that if the student changes this small part of their personality, or just the way they react to situations before them, then the rewards will be great. Children are more likely to work with others if they feel it won't cost them as much as it will get them.
Friday, June 26, 2009
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I thought that the idea of using "peer popularity 'against them'" is interesting, but needs to be used sparingly and correctly or it can turn into bullying itself. I think a better approach would to try and find the root of the problem, why is "Bobby" acting the way he is towards his peers? Is he having a rough time at home, is he being teased, is he sick, or tired, does he have a learning disability; there are so many reasons that he could be acting the way he is, and his behavior could be a cry for help.
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