I would like to discuss the big ideas of chapter 6 of Jacobson’s book “Don’t get so upset.” In this paper, I plan to discuss how important it is to establish healthy boundaries with children. Then I would like to explain why kids should feel comfortable around the teacher. Finally, I will highlight that the role of the teacher is guidance, not punishment. I will also share with you a video that I found helpful in the context of this review.
Setting Boundaries is Important for Children and the Teacher
“We must wrap boundaries of compassion around our youngest children, so that they might learn to feel worthwhile in this way themselves, forever and ever (Jacobson, 2008, p. 122).”
Healthy personal boundaries are the foundation of a balanced mental state. Internal markers will indicate that boundaries are being invaded. These signals include stiffness, pain, high blood pressure, tics, a feeling of nausea, and other symptoms. Thus, people may begin to feel annoyed, angry, misunderstood, or resentful, sometimes all emotions at once. Jacobson (2008) proposes to define what is acceptable and unacceptable for educators, what they control, and what they ignore; this creates a healthy balance between authority and freedom. The Jacobson quote I found on the book’s pages struck me as wise and appropriate in this conversation; she says that setting boundaries helps children feel valued.
Children Should Feel Safe around Teachers
“As a teacher, it is my responsibility to guide children through these turbulent feelings with compassion, understanding, and acceptance (Jacobson, 2008, p. 148).
Only cooperation, patience, and enthusiastic participation of the educator in the fate of the pupil give positive results. Hence, as Jacobson notes in the book, children should feel safe around teachers. They must not be criticized for no reason; on the contrary, teachers need to listen to their needs. I think that if a teacher sees that their students are afraid, then this is a reason to think about changing the strategy of communication with children. Establishing an atmosphere of trust and tranquility is vital for the healthy development of the child.
Teachers Need to Guide, not Punish
“Setting strong and consistent boundaries for children is the most loving form of guidance we can facilitate” (Jacobson, 2008, p. 127).
Teachers have no right to apply physical or psychological punishment to children. In the work of an educator, it is essential to discipline students, not to punish, as Jacobson emphasized in her book. The teacher is obliged to resolve emerging issues and demanding situations either alone with students or in the presence of their parents. Punishment should never be considered a priority strategy for managing a child’s behavior.
References
Jacobson, T. (2008). Don’t get so upset! Redleaf Press.
Jacobson, T. (2017). Five easy ways to get started with setting limits for your child [Photograph]. Friendship Circle. Web.
Illuminate Education. (2018). What’s so important about student engagement? [Video]. YouTube. Web.
International day for tolerance: The pursuit of acceptance and understanding [Photograph]. (2016). Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Web.
Lewis, J., & Zahn, A. (2019). The do’s and don’ts of disciplining your child [Photograph]. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Web.