Elisa Sednaoui Instagram – 🚨 Punishments and rewards don’t work ‼️ They only achieve temporary coercion. So how can we create space for genuine intrinsic motivation? How can we build relationships while supporting children in instilling ethics and morals?
One of the most impactful readings I’ve done this year was a gift from the “Techniques for Behavior Change in Young Children” course I attended at UCLA Extension. “Beyond Discipline” by education expert Alfie Kohn offers deep reflections on challenging behavior, its underlying reasons, and concrete solutions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who lives with or is responsible for children, especially parents.
It triggers reflections on our cultural biases, the education we received, as well as the inner questioning around what is acceptable and what isn’t for us as adults. “All feelings are welcome, all behaviors are not,” says Dr Aliza Pressman @raisinggoodhumanspodcast. This leads us to a critical question Kohn’s book dives into: What concrete options do we have to help young people understand and choose to alter challenging behavior? How do they understand limits without relying on punishment, especially children who repeat the same behavior despite various attempts at communication and intervention? We must first understand how we as adults impact this situation, our responsibilities, and the needs the child is expressing.
We can find a powerful anchor in principles of character and skills such as active listening, respect, compassion, and empathy. This is where @funtasia fits in. The education of the mind and heart.
If we only have conversations with young people that we guide through leading questions, and we get frustrated if they don’t answer what we’d like them to, we are doing the opposite of creating space for authentic dialogue crucial for moral and ethical development. Brave reflections and open dialogue in our education systems foster a more aware generation, conscious of their actions and their impact on others.
What are your thoughts? How can we motivate young people to engage in meaningful conversations? The potential benefits for individual growth and societal progress are infinite. | Posted on 03/Aug/2024 20:32:03
