I hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE it when other adults get after me for 'talking to that kid like an adult'. They say, 'it's not age appropriate'.
Let me be clear: I DO NOT discuss things that are topically inappropriate for a child's age. Ever. Sex, despair, pain, death, and trauma are Off. The. Table.
So, what is it we talk about? Easy: Science.
A 10 year old girl asked me, "Why do we have blood?" And I told her, "Well, do you know what your blood does?" She said no, so I told her, "Your blood's job is to carry air to your brain when you breathe. If your blood can't get oxygen to your head fast enough, and you can get dizzy or faint. You need blood so that the air you breathe can go where it's needed".
The other adult in the room decided I shouldn't be talking to a child 'like that'. Said it would 'just go over her head'. "Look, she's not even listening!"
"No, I'm listening," she said, but the conversation was over.
Kids aren't dumb. They WANT to be talked to with respect for their autonomy and intelligence.
Am I going to start breaking out words like Mytosis or Rhinoplasty without explanation? Of course not. But if they want to know why their nose is called a "Rhino-", I'll tell them.
I REMEMBER adults telling me I was too young or not ready to learn something I was interested in. I REMEMBER being told to grab easier books, to be at peace with addition when I WANTED to try division.
I remember for getting detention because a TA told my class to sit down and be quiet and I told him, "You're standing up and yelling at us, why don't you have to follow the rules?"
I remember telling a teacher to stop being condescending, only to get a funny look and, 'what a big word! Do you know what that means?' As if I'd just throw it out there if I didn't think I knew how.
Adults tell you what to do and say that it's for a good reason, but the reason can't possibly be that good if even THEY don't follow it all the time.
Adults tell you that not eating your veggies is rude and unhealthy, but you've never seen greens on your father's plate in your life and nobody gets after HIM. Why are you the only one who has to do things you don't like? If you're rude, why isn't he?
And when you're *really* young, that's the WORST, because everyone wants to *quiz* you on shit. "Can you say 'school' sweetheart?" Yeah, I can, lady. I was doing something, though, so can it wait? I knowsyou're just gonna keep picking words. This can't possibly be fun for you.
Ughghgggghhf. I could be mad about this all day. I don't want to be another one of the adults I had to put up with
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