Heads up: This post is 13 years old. My thinking may have evolved since then — read it with that in mind.
A few days ago I wrote about the 2 year old with hands taped together in kindergarten (http://pocket.co/sZerG) and how we need to ask ourselves questions about the effects on the children because our relationship with them and the experiences we give them directly shape their neural circuitry, for life!
In my research, I’ve found that many teachers and parents do not realize the significant consequences of their actions. Some of them publicly voiced their opinions with comments like “What’s the big deal?”, “All these uproar for such a minor incident, no wonder the world is full of spoiled brats.”
Those of us who know a little about the potentially life-long ill effects punishments can have on our children, we are on the other extreme of the spectrum. We worry about whether or not we have ruined our children for life. For this specific incident, I’ve inquired Dr. JoAnn Deak about whether there will be any long term ill effect on the child, her response was as follows:
Your question is hard to answer because ‘it depends’ on many little details surrounding the incident. How harsh was the conversation, what was said, what kind of temperament does the child have, etc. Every incident is processed differentially by each individual. In general, the fear associated with such an event can wane with good care afterwards. It would be important to not have a continual layering of such events over time. - Dr. JoAnn Deak
So generally speaking, as long as these events don’t constantly repeat and the child is given good care, he should be able to recover without much long term harm. I hope that was the case with this child but if what I read in the comments were true, then this wasn’t an isolated incident. I’m guessing quite a lot of teachers repeatedly use corporal punishments. It makes me worry about all the children growing up in such an environment.
Now how should we deal with what some would call a “naughty child”? That’s a long post to write but the two words summary is this: Stay connected! (If you get it, feel free to elaborate in the comments.)