We all feel the need to belong. The relationships we have built with family, friends and the community provide the roots that shape our character. Positive attachments with those we care deeply about provide the foundation for our personalities. When our parents demonstrate how proud they are of our achievements we feel special. When our best friend runs to greet us we see the caring in their eyes. When our soccer coach highlights our sportsmanship we strive to achieve even more. When we have a strong sense of belonging we feel accepted. All of our children deserve to be treated in this way. They have a strong desire to be acknowledged as true individuals.
Do we always accept individuality? When a person demonstrates behaviour that is outside established norms do we accept or do we ridicule? Too often our children do not feel that their individuality is recognized. They feel isolated and that strong sense of belonging, which they crave, is absent from their lives. School grounds can sometimes be a place where this individuality is compromised. Targeted bullying whether it is face to face or behind a screen can have devastating life long effects. The following story illustrates the power of individuals to change attitudes.
by Scott Wallace on 2/5/2012 4:59 PM
~from the Gleneagles Elementary School Blog