They’re not lazy - they’re in pain.
Most humans are wired to learn and connect. What screws up that wiring is trauma. I watched my own two go through it and it broke my heart. I felt helpless to support them. I tried to empower them and help them stand up for themselves and be proud of who they are. Day after day they were made to feel that their differences were unacceptable and wrong. Imagine going somewhere everyday, where other people go out of their way to make you feel like crap?!
Then, there are the kids who struggle academically and feel like they are a failure. The further behind they get, the harder it becomes to bounce back from missed work/time or knowledge, so they give up. Staff work really hard to reach those kids in most schools, and there are just way too many kids who fly under the radar. Many of these kids feel unsafe or unaccepted as well, experiencing microaggressions from their peers and flat out bullying those with mental health issues. Sometimes overlooked by staff too, reinforcing those feelings even more.
No one should be pushed to give up their right to learn and be present in a fair academic setting!
Trauma isn’t just what happens to a person, it can also be a lack of something essential. If a person feels disconnected from everyone around them, that is not a conducive learning environment. People crave attachment to others, themselves, and other. It’s imperative we find the cause of their disconnection and help them find ways to get what they need to be healthy and productive. More supports and safe spaces are needed! A 2011 national survey on homophobia and transphobia in Canadian schools found that 70% of all participating students, LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+, reported hearing homophobic/transphobic remarks every day at school.
There are too many kids not showing up ready to learn, and way too many just not showing up at all. I see teachers turning themselves inside out trying to reach the kids and provide them with what they need. Principals and vice-principals having to deal with levels of conflict they aren't trained or prepared for. I really think that we need to address the mental health piece. Studies have shown that yoga and mindfulness taught properly to young people can have profound effects on learning and behaviour. In schools where programs have been offered, they've seen a reduction in aggressive behaviours, and an increase in learning.
Teaching kids how to manage their emotions, calm their nervous systems, and mindfulness practices early could go a long way in healing these kids and breaking some cycles. And it can’t just be something a few teachers do, here and there. It has to be a built in part of the kids' schedule. And should be lead by someone who has taken the training to teach and lead the practices. I’m in no way suggesting this should be something teachers should have to take on. (They have way too much on their plates as it is!) More mental health services need to be made available. I’m also suggesting that the school board should hire someone with experience/training similar to me: I am a certified yoga instructor, trauma informed certified, and have experience working with kids. Each family of schools should have someone on staff like this who offers these programs to kids.
It should be just as important as phys. ed, music or art.
This just seems like a no-brainer to me! The benefits far outweigh the costs. As a society, we would all benefit from having future generations of kids who were able to manage stress and live happy productive lives.
Namaste.