Native American Writing Class-room/forum

Hey ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy

I agree that the words we use have a big effect on people, particlulary children. Your example of the milk is a good one.

When my son was starting prep, I went to pick him up from school one afternoon. He had a learning delay and hadn't begun to grasp reading or counting. His teacher was waiting to tell me that "he didn't even know how to count to ten." Her emphasis was placed exactly as I've shown it. I've never forgotten that comment. For one, it hurt me to have her say that in front of my child, but it was the words she used.

It's better to say: "You can count -- you just haven't learned how to count yet."

This comes back to our assignment topic. Positive action will be met with more positive action. Her method only made me and my son feel bad, and it didn't help any of us. The fact that he wasn't counting to ten wasn't for lack of effort, and she had nothing to gain by making her comment.