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The Risk of No Risk
March 11, 2010
Tal vez sea verdad: que un corazón es lo que mueve el mundo” ("Maybe it's true: that a heart is what moves the world.
-Dámaso Alonso, Spanish poet, 1898-1990
-Dámaso Alonso, Spanish poet, 1898-1990
"Keeping children safe is paramount to the work we do every minute when we are with children. We must always stop or prevent situations that threaten children’s well-being. But when we do intervene on behalf of children’s safety, we can do it with the understanding that life has many challenges and risks, and children deserve experiences and tools to learn to negotiate on their own. The saying, 'With few risks there are few rewards' is very true. Learning involves risk. Relationships involve risk. Feeling competent and confident in the world requires meeting a challenge and working to overcome it.
"When children are involved in a situation we think is too risky or dangerous, rather than just stopping them we can offer alternatives that keep them safe while preserving opportunities for them to develop to their fullest potential. This work requires that we pay attention to the children’s perspectives, use our power thoughtfully, and act responsibly. We can ensure that children have a childhood where they feel exhilaration, while still being protected and supported by adults and their friends. We can support them in learning that determination pays off, and they can become competent decision makers, able to assess risks, contribute to the well-being of others, and reap the rewards of their efforts."
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Comments (1)
Displaying 1 CommentThe Little School
San Diego, CA, United States
A perfect example: Two fouryear old girls were trying to figure out how to use one swing at the same time. They had decided, when I came upon the scene, that putting a board across the swing would be a good way to do it. First inclination on my part: " What on earth are you doing! Your'e going to kill yourselves!" Instead, I said," Oh... I'm not feeling too safe about this; I am scared you might get hurt". They replied," Don't worry, Grandma, we are being really careful. We have a really good idea." So I agreed to let them do it while I stood close by. Sure enough, they navigated the board with deftness and caution and figured out how to make it go! It was a lesson for them in collaboration, cooperation, problem solving, balance and physics. It was a lesson for me in trusting kids to know their limits and use all the wonderful knowledge they already have to create something new.
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