Dear Kelly Anne,
Wow! What a great question :) I have heard of puberty and I am certain puberty is not contagious. I called your mom today to see how your sister is feeling. Good news! She is going to be just fine. I am glad you felt safe asking me that question. I will check in with you tomorrow to make sure you are no longer upset.
Love, Mrs. Roberts
Wow! What a great question :) I have heard of puberty and I am certain puberty is not contagious. I called your mom today to see how your sister is feeling. Good news! She is going to be just fine. I am glad you felt safe asking me that question. I will check in with you tomorrow to make sure you are no longer upset.
Love, Mrs. Roberts
My Viewpoint...
Kelly Anne has not yet reached middle school. I called her parents to share the concerns Kelly Anne had written in the letter. They assured me they would speak with her, but felt strongly she was still to young to be discussing the topic of puberty. I am concerned for Kelly Anne because as popular and as inquisitive as she is her quest for an answer among "helpful friends" will lack the values or the honesty her parents could offer on the subject.
The simple truth is that our children have access to much more information than previous generations and they are eager to share "what they know" with their friends. Unfortunately, too much of what children will learn on their own stokes a sense of guilt or shame for wanting to know something their parents are not discussing with them. In my opinion, starting discussions of difficult topics with children early promotes trust and security. Often parents are unaware that children have already exposed themselves to information that parents are waiting for the right time to introduce.
In my classroom I emphasize that by asking parents, grandparents or guardians about family values students can build a safety zone from those seeking to confuse them and cause them harm. I believe it is important to look for opportunities in everyday conversation to develop a dialog with kids on where to go for accurate information and advice.
The simple truth is that our children have access to much more information than previous generations and they are eager to share "what they know" with their friends. Unfortunately, too much of what children will learn on their own stokes a sense of guilt or shame for wanting to know something their parents are not discussing with them. In my opinion, starting discussions of difficult topics with children early promotes trust and security. Often parents are unaware that children have already exposed themselves to information that parents are waiting for the right time to introduce.
In my classroom I emphasize that by asking parents, grandparents or guardians about family values students can build a safety zone from those seeking to confuse them and cause them harm. I believe it is important to look for opportunities in everyday conversation to develop a dialog with kids on where to go for accurate information and advice.
Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling,
truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.
- James E. Faust