by Shawna | Jun 16, 2015 | Main Blog
[Read the first and the second stories.] During the fifth year of The Clearwater School, we attracted several new students, including some 5-7 year old boys. An interaction with one of those boys forever changed my response to children’s powerful, dark emotions. What...
by Shawna | Jun 8, 2015 | Main Blog
My friend, Pearl, who has her own wonderful blog, linked to an interview with playwright Sarah Ruhl at The Interval. Because of its relevance to the theme of this blog and my documentary project, this statement of Sarah’s caught my eye: It’s a privilege to have kids...
by Shawna | May 31, 2015 | Main Blog
In last week’s post, I advocated for refusing to use the word “childish” as a label for irritating and troublesome behaviors, because it defames children as a class. Adults are not paragons of rationality and are just as likely as kids to be overwhelmed by their...
by Shawna | May 24, 2015 | Main Blog
Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational – but how much does it cost you to knock on wood? [emphasis mine] —Judith Viorst “You’re being childish.” “Don’t be so childish.” Many, if not most, of us have been called childish or called...
by Shawna | May 15, 2015 | Main Blog
My post, Performing Monkeys, generated several comments that stimulated more of my own thoughts about the topic of children as entertainment. I described the adult reactions in that video of Sydney testifying before her school board as “amused condescension”. Erik...
by Shawna | May 9, 2015 | Main Blog
In the U.S., we use ratings systems, print and broadcast warnings to inform parents and guardians about materials that various authorities deem too offensive, disturbing, violent, scary or adult for young children to listen to, read, watch, or play. When I was a staff...
