Why Do We Have Rules?

Like many in the United States and around the world, I have been saddened and dismayed by the recent events at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Although I believe that we are fortunate in the United States that we are allowed to disagree with our government, the way those that broke into the Capitol did so in the wrong way. Watching the happenings reminded me of a lesson that I teach at the beginning of every school year when introducing the school and classroom rules.

Why do we have rules? We have rules to keep things safe and fair. When we set up rules/expectations/values for our classrooms, we need to keep safety, equity, and consistency in mind. And, just like the rules for our country, sometimes they need to evolve in order to restore safety and fairness.

When we set up our classroom rules, we need to also remind our students that the rules are living and breathing things that they are a part of. Rules are not just arbitrary words that are meant for some and not for others. We are all a part of the rules, and our choices to follow or disobey the rules bear consequences.

As someone who works with young children, my students may not have any understanding at all of what is happening in US government and politics. It is beyond their development, and I’m so glad for that. It gives those of us that work with these young learners the chance to teach them that they are the ones that will move humanity forward. They are the ones that will be responsible for keeping things safe and fair for all of us in the future. It is our responsibility, then, to model what safety and fairness look like every day.