Sunday, 30 March 2014

Hi Guys,

I came across this article discussing ADHD in America: "Drugging of the American Boy". Certainly some food for thought here, though much of the content is a little off topic in regards to our first assignment. 

It does however support my personal belief that in many environments we are crushing the spirits of our sons (Steve Biddulph has some excellent advice here for parents in "Raising Boys"). When we were discussing the differences between boys and girls in an educational context in lectures a few weeks ago, I mentioned this piece written by Maggie Dent, author specialising in parenting:

"I have written many weeks ago of my deep concerns about the shortening of lunch time for all children in our schools. Again it is implied that children's play is a waste of valuable time that could be spent doing the curriculum! Children are struggling with a serious lack of physical activity that is impacting them in so many ways - and brain research shows quite clearly that physical activity that lifts the heart rate improves how the brain learns for the following couple of hours. Poor self regulation that contributes to inattentiveness, physical restlessness and inappropriate behaviour is improved with playful activity especially outside. The primary need for every human is belonging and being able to play with other children in effective ways that involve communication and cooperative play soothes this need while helping children improve their emotional and social competences at the same time. Boys need to make dopamine and without it they struggle with formal learning and so many will not waste time eating their lunch so they can play! Oh I could keep writing for a week about why this is so wrong - when we were up in the OECD educational ratings - we had less technology and hour long lunches!"

I look forward to any thoughts you guys might have on the topic of behaviour management with hyperactive children, in particular boys.   

please note, I appreciate 100% that there are many circumstances where prescribed drugs are vital to the well being of a child and its certainly NOT my role as a Teacher to have any opinion about how the family and their doctor have chosen to help their child. I am more interested in reading further into the ideas of people like Maggie Dent so that I can create an environment that works for as many children as possible.

Cheers,
Vanessa

2 comments:

  1. Vanessa,
    I really like the way you think!
    Like you I also like the Steve Biddulph books - I've re-read them each time my own son gets to a 'next phase' and have found them very useful. I might do a quick re-read before I start prac, just for a couple more behaviour management tips :)

    I remember your comments on my blog post that you are particularly interested in the Aboriginal students and the diversity they bring to the class room. I just wanted to point out to you that Ken has said to other students that he has specifically not said that the 4 forms need to be equally addressed... This leaves scope to be VERY brief on three forms and leave most of your word count for a forth... It might be something that you would like to consider so you can cover the topic you are most interested in?

    It's also funny that you mention the issue regarding boys and physical activity. I made a teacher friend on my last prac and we happen to have re-connected as our sons are now in the same soccer team this year, so each week I get all the gossip from my last school and she chats about teaching which I'm more than happy about. My point is that she was just saying this week that she wished that she was allowed to send all the boys in her class for a run around the oval at the start of class so that they would be better behaved and take more of the lesson in. I think this is a real issue in both primary and high schools for a very wide variety of health and educational reasons.
    Will talk soon,
    Gail

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  2. Hi Gail,

    Thanks for your post. I am definitely going to focus on Indigenous students more than the other three areas I have chosen. I was able to directly ask Dr Sarra some questions and I want to expand upon his answers. I checked with Ken and he said it would be okay to do this. It really concerns me that our indigenous population live in what seems like a catch 22 of poor education and lower economic status.

    Following my visit to my prac school, I have modified the other three areas I am looking at. I feel Aspergers, ADHD and CAPD contribute to a number of behavioral management issues and the more I can learn about these the better. The school I am going to has an entire building for behavior management. Included in this space is a manual arts areas, specifically for those children who need to physically exert themselves.

    Talk soon,
    Vanessa

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