1. After reading and refelcting on the ideas presented in the chapter on guidance, share the way children and adults related to each other where you grew up. Some ideas to consider...
how the adults communicated with each other and with children
the ways adults showed affection or disciplined children
how they daily routines were taken care of (e.g. meals, going to sleep, bathing)
how conflict was resolved.
In reflecting about the importance of guidance, I have come to realize that the relationship a teacher has with the child is key and one of the most effective tools according to chapter in “Who Am I in the lives of Children?”. Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic culture the adults in my life had a different way of communicating with a child. From personal experiences with family members, we were to treat the adults in our family with a high level of respect; respect for authority is a value. Respect was tought in a firm manner in my household. My mother was very loving and would let us act like kids, but in a public setting we knew where the line was drawn and we had to be the “well behaved kids”. I have noticed that many of the friends in my community had the same foundational values of respect and family pride as myself. My mother was very compassionate and would show her affection by physical touch; pat on the back, hug, high-five etc. As for my father, he had a tough time showing encouragement. As a child I remember my father being the discipliner. For example, if I disrespected my mother or father in any way he would threaten to spank me. I don’t blame him, he grew up with this type of discipline and I couldn’t expect him to not carry these practices when it was all he knew. My mother taught me how to make meals at a very young age as well as bathing myself. My father was the head of the household meaning chores, cooking, and activities with the kids was not part of his role. Conflict resolution by my mother was shown in a very passive and...