An institutionalised servant of The System observes a child’s behaviour and, if the behaviour fails to fall within narrowly defined parameters of normality, turns to the child and says, “You don’t fit The System. You are not normal. You are broken and need to be fixed. I am an adult and an expert and therefore know what is best for you. I will help you to change. If you don’t accept what I say then I will punish you. If this doesn’t work then I will send you to be fixed elsewhere. Oh, by the way, here is a label to carry around wherever you go – so that you never forget how different you are from everybody else.”
I don’t view children in this way. I operate from ‘outside the box’ of conventionality. I observe a child from a holistic perspective – with eyes of unconditional love – and say, “I accept you just as you are. I value you for being who you are. I observe your behaviour and I look for the positive intention behind it. Yes, you are different… and that is something to be celebrated. You are a unique, divine spark of unlimited creative potential. I trust you. How may I serve you? How can I best support you in meeting your unique learning needs?”
My role is to facilitate the unlocking of the child’s latent potential. My role is to provide a ‘Space of Acceptance’ in which the child can reconnect with his own Inner Teacher. My role is to give the child back to himself. As such, I aim to make myself unnecessary – as quickly as possible.
Eduspire 