arndt@squirt.DEC (09/03/85)
Larry Kolodney assures us his mother can control a class of 'toughs', however young, with her commanding non-threatening demeanor and promise of 'fairness'. I don't believe it!!! There are few 'animals' more needful of the fear of sudden death than small children - princes or paupers! Only the fact that adults are larger than most children in their care keeps the adults from being dismembered when the going gets tough. Children's understanding if 'fair' is that they get what they want when they want it. You can explain your good intentions until you are blue in the face but if you don't come across with the goodies NOW, the fact that he/she got the goodies yesterday and today is playmate's turn is the short cut to vendetta between them. His mom may THINK that's what she's doing but I just don't believe her size and position don't represent 'force' in the eyes of the children she teaches. Oh, there may indeed be a few nice little lobotomized kids in the class who for whatever reason wish for 'approval' from the teacher and so bend to the requirements, but in the grab bag of the class room I don't think 'appeals' to civilizied behavior not based upon the ultimate threat of being able to MAKE one comply are a working dynamic. No doubt Larry's mom voted for Mondale. Regards, Ken Arndt