I sat down in a child size chair in my classroom surrounded by laughing, talking, and arguing children.
I have kids around me from my own class that I teach, and from other classes in the school. This is a private school where tuition costs are high, and the uniforms are expensive. I’ve seen several types of families that send their kids here, some of them are the kind that make many, many sacrifices to give their kids a wonderful education, and some are the kind that can easily afford it and like telling others that their child attends a “private school”.
I have kids around me from my own class that I teach, and from other classes in the school. This is a private school where tuition costs are high, and the uniforms are expensive. I’ve seen several types of families that send their kids here, some of them are the kind that make many, many sacrifices to give their kids a wonderful education, and some are the kind that can easily afford it and like telling others that their child attends a “private school”.
Vanessa was a dark-haired, well-behaved and darling little girl I had in my class.
“Where have you been Vanessa? I have missed you!” I said to her.
Vanessa immediately climbed onto my lap and wrapped her arms around me and buried her head in my neck. I have spent 10 years teaching 3 and 4 year olds and am very used to their lack of awareness for other people's personal space, but a clinging child raises a few red flags in my mind.
“Are you ok? We’ve been wondering all week where you have been!” I say tickling her side to keep the mood light.
She leans in close to my ear and whispers “I got a black eye because my mommy hit me, but I can’t tell anyone because then she would go to jail and I would never see her again.”
I pulled back from her and examined her face. It was clear of any bruises- a week would be long enough for them to fade right? I pull her close and tell her how sorry I am, and hug her for a long time.
“Where have you been Vanessa? I have missed you!” I said to her.
Vanessa immediately climbed onto my lap and wrapped her arms around me and buried her head in my neck. I have spent 10 years teaching 3 and 4 year olds and am very used to their lack of awareness for other people's personal space, but a clinging child raises a few red flags in my mind.
“Are you ok? We’ve been wondering all week where you have been!” I say tickling her side to keep the mood light.
She leans in close to my ear and whispers “I got a black eye because my mommy hit me, but I can’t tell anyone because then she would go to jail and I would never see her again.”
I pulled back from her and examined her face. It was clear of any bruises- a week would be long enough for them to fade right? I pull her close and tell her how sorry I am, and hug her for a long time.
Abuse and neglect occurs at every socioeconomic level, every education level, across all cultural lines, and in any religion. It didn’t matter that this was a little girl in an expensive uniform, attending a prestigious private school. “The Christmas Box House”, a safe, short-term shelter for kids in crisis, has found that around ½ of the time neglect and abuse will begin before the age of 5.
NSPCC.org tells us that what happens to us as a child has an effect on who we become as adults. The good and the bad all have an impact. Neglect and abuse changes childhoods, but so can we.
In normal 3-year-old fashion, Vanessa hugs me back and bounces off my lap to go and find a friend to play with. I watch her play and see no outward signs of damage but wonder what effect it will have on her now and later in life.
In normal 3-year-old fashion, Vanessa hugs me back and bounces off my lap to go and find a friend to play with. I watch her play and see no outward signs of damage but wonder what effect it will have on her now and later in life.
Abuse and neglect is a widespread problem in today’s world, a widespread problem in need of attention.