Even when I taught first grade, I never talked down to my students. No fake voice. No baby talk. And no begging. | |
Say what you mean and mean what you say. The video above addresses this concept.
It's a bit of a no nonsense approach.
I must admit, I still say please, but my voice indicates that my request for action from my students comes with a different tone. No lilt at the end. My please comes with more of a command than question.
I never ask someone, "Would you mind doing this?" A question like that makes it sound like the activity is optional. Keep it simple, I say. If what I want students to do is not optional, I need to make that clear. If what I want them to do is a required activity, I should not be using the word please. Again, please implies a choice.
While we endorse good manners and respect, there is definitely a difference between a request and a command. I often hear teachers deliver instructions as if they are begging for compliance. They speak to children is soft, lilting voices, pleading with them to please do the work. Please. And soon they find themselves in negotiations with backtalking students. They respond to a child who backtalks, rather than address the disrespectful backtalk.
They lower themselves to the level of backtalking the backtalker.
What kind of citizens are we producing?
I believe we do a disservice to children when we do not clearly communicate our expectations - with urgency when necessary, and with choices when possible.