Grandparents Think Kids Are Ruder These Days. Are They?
Huff PostI’ve worked as a school librarian in New York City for over 15 years, and I love working with kids. Concepts don’t always sink in if kids don’t understand why “may I” is preferable to “gimme.” Speech pathologist Tara Ferrara, a co-founder and co-director of Social City, offers social skills classes for children from age 2 through young adulthood that include role-play and supported conversation practice. She noted that Social City does not instruct manners in terms of what is “the norm” or “scripted.” Ferrara doesn’t believe that clients learn positive social practices through verbal explanations; they need hands-on practice. I noticed that when you came in you seemed upset.” Glass believes that if we correct rudeness too quickly, we might not get access to the child’s “internal experience.” When the moment is right, an adult could gently say, “I would rather that you say ‘please.’” But this suggestion doesn’t have to be the first thing an adult says. Let’s talk about that with him after we do an activity together.” Hawker suggested reminding people not to “underestimate” young people.