Children need to feel safe both at home and at school

FRIDAY, JAN. 20: One of the saddest things to witness is young children becoming involved, in any way, in the differences adults are going through.

Indeed, the topic of disagreement may be concerning the children and what is best for them.

Yet, in order to ‘protect’ them from any new suffering, they should be shielded from the public discussion of the change, for it just might be that during public discussion, those innocent and vulnerable minds may get injured, even if it is not the motive or intention of either side.

Formative years

Psalms127:3
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As an educator for 19 years in the public school system, I know that in a desire to have a plan instituted or a new method implemented, there is often going to be injury to someone.

That is very unfortunate, but nevertheless part and parcel of change.

Isn’t it interesting that adults experience injury through the process, and yet do not fully comprehend the amount of injury being possibly done to the children.

Today, I ask a familiar question, ‘What about the children?’

For over a year now I have been blessed to go and sit in on the weekly Monday assembly at Prospect Primary School.

To add to this delight, the principal (and now executive principal) have given me the privilege of sharing a good thought with the children.

In the early Seventies I was in Infants One at Elliot Primary School with Mrs Hartford and was then promoted to Mrs Crichlow’s class; school was my life and my focus.

I loved school and disliked holidays. More than that, I remember a poem I learned while in primary school, which has become a part of my philosophy in life. Here it is:

Good, Better, Best

Never let it Rest

Until Your Good is Better

And Your better is BEST!

I remember that one of my favourite teachers was Mrs Dorothy Trott (Goater), and I remember Mrs Green, Mrs Morgan, and Mr Mumford. I remember Mrs Harvey, the principal, and I remember that I got the cane once, for scratching a girl (who was bothering/bullying me).

Why I am bringing all of this to the fore today?

Readers, I simply want to emphasize that what happens in school in the early and yet formative years for your children really matters.

If children are told that their school is “low performing”, how do you think they will feel about themselves?

If children suddenly see their leader (principal) snatched from out of their sight that cannot be comforting.

I will not speak to the adult issue here. I will speak for the bright, wonderfully behaved, and intelligent students of the Prospect Primary School.

I will speak for those who earn public awards and honours for what they do in school and outside of the normal school day.

Have you heard about the Braille programme going on there? Have you heard about those who sing at church services or other venues? There is much more…

James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

It is my responsibility to speak life. Simple. Simple, but yet so profound.

I can open my mouth and curse something, or I can open this same mouth and bless that same thing.

Remember that children are a gift from God.

Children need love and to know that they are safe at home and at school. I loved school because I felt safe in the care of my teachers.

Self-image

I felt that Elliot was the big world and that if I conquered Elliot Primary I would be equipped to conquer the next test, the next school.

Today, because of my parents and teachers, I believe that the world yet remains my oyster.

I kindly suggest that as the situation of Prospect Primary unfolds to a healthy conclusion, that all keep in mind that some little boy or little girl is formulating a self-image based on what he or she hears and feels about the school.

If you desire a better Bermuda, let’s show the children how adults can bring about change in a super loving way.

Dr Maria A Seaman is the pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre, Hamilton Parish.