Print this chapterPrint this chapter

Communication

7. Managing change

7.1. Where do I stand?

ACTIVITY

 		15 minutes
     

Should I do the activity alone?

It can be done individually, but for the discussion at the end you should involve another parent or parents and/or your child

After completing the activity…

I should be able to:

  • reflect on prejudices and stereotypes towards certain groups
  • deepen my understanding of participation
  • improve listening skills and boost critical thinking

    		•

    Before I start, what will I need to do this activity?      

       Nothing special.

    What do I have to do?

    1. Read the following statements and mark on a scale of 1 to 10 how much you agree with them (1 being totally disagree and 10 being totally agree) 

    1. Children have no rights to get involved in family decision making. Parents know best what is best for children. 
    2. To participate at school means to talk a lot in class. 
    3. Every child is allowed to participate in the school parliament/school board/school council with equal rights. 
    4. There is well-proven evidence that parental involvement results in better academic outcomes for the children. 
    5. Parents are the primary educators. 
    6. It can be dangerous for children to express their views on school issues. 
    7. Children cannot teach parents, grandparents or teachers. This is the privilege of the adults. 
    8. Not all children have the same right to participate. Poor children, disabled children, children with deficits in the majority language or children with separated parents cannot participate as much as others. 
    9. Parental involvement is lifelong learning for themselves and essential part of active citizenship. 
    10. Teachers are always better educators than parents. 
    11. Children/parents who have been in trouble with the law lose their right to participate in any decision-making process. 
    12. Children/parents with another citizenship are not allowed to participate in school councils. 
    13. Girls are less good at computer games than boys. 
    14. Scientific studies have shown that Europeans have smaller brains than Asians. 
    15. Being gay is a disability which can be cured. 

    (adapted from COMPASITO, Manual on human rights education for children – Council of Europe 2009)

    2. Look at these answers based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Child, research evidence and experience, and compare with your own scores

    1, 2) 1, 3) 10, 4) 10, 5) 10, 6) 5-6, 7) 1, 8) 1, 9) 10, 10) 1, 11) 5-6 (court may rule to ban participation) 12) 1, 13) 1, 14) 1 15) 1

    3. Discuss the differences you see between your answers and the answers given above with other parents and/or your child


        

    What to do next?

    • Did this activity help you to understand prejudices and stereotypes?
    • Will you adjust your practices using the tools offered?
    • …?