Quotes from Stanley Greenspan, M.D.
"The child may have a disorder or a set of problems, but he is not the disorder. He is a human being with real feelings, real desires, and real wishes." -Stanley Greenspan, M.D.
Quotes from Elena Bodrova
"Teachers can view a healthy amount of tattling in kindergarten as evidence of children's growing self-regulation!" -Elena Bodrova
"Making a difference may sometimes mean helping one child be able to be successful in the classroom." -Raymond Hernandez, MS Ed
"We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better." - Sandy Escobido
Hi Robin,
ReplyDeleteIsn’t what Elena Bedrova said so accurate!? I feel this is especially true when children have not had a plethora of previous early childhood experiences that encouraged problem solving. If all children were given the opportunities and tools to negotiate through conflicts with their peers perhaps kindergarten teachers would see a decrease in tattling.
Wendy
Robin,
ReplyDeleteWendy stole my line! Haha - that quote by Elena Bedrova is spot-on, though. Is it wrong to feel glad that Kindergarten teachers have to deal with the tattling just as much as the Preschool teachers do? Tee hee.
On a more serious note, that second quote by Dr. Greenspan is compelling. I think I will have to post it to the wall in my classroom. We have several diagnosed disorders in my class at the moment, and that quote will remind me that all those things indicative of "the disorder" come second to the little human being that is trying to develop and needs my care and understanding. Great find!
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ReplyDeleteRobin, Thanks for these terrific quotes. I especially appreciate Dr. Greenspan's thoughts on disorder.
ReplyDelete"The child may have a disorder or a set of problems, but he is not the disorder." I think this is a tremendous thing to say. In my experience with those who suffer the challenges of living with mental, emotional and/or physical disorders, it is common to perceive oneself as flawed, rather than to see the distinction of self from the disorder. I think Greenspan's quote speaks to the multiple dimensions of personality within all of us, and also to the truth of disorder: That recognizing the presence of a disorder is not an indictment of the individual who has it. Thanks for your thoughts!!