Language and attitudes, old and young. . .

Here's a few things to ponder:

71% of press coverage of young people in Britain is negative (audit commission 2009)

Young people are technically more adept and confident than their parents. The term 'Digital Native' recognises this generation born into a digital age.

The developed world has an ageing population
We teach mainly in single year age bands

It seems a crying shame that the 'us and them' state of play is stifling bridge-building between young and old (and anyone in between for that matter) The Guardian July 2008 reported: "England's local authorities are not doing enough to make sure the ageing population has enough interesting and worthwhile things to do.

The report says most councils are not ensuring older residents can easily find out about areas such as volunteering, leisure and social activities, learning opportunities and transport. It highlights some excellent projects, such as a community radio station run by and aimed at older people in west Cornwall, but suggests that areas with the biggest populations of elderly people are often the worst for making sure they have something to do.

Michael O'Higgins, the chairman of the Audit Commission, said: "By 2029 nearly 40% of England's population will be over 50. These are active people, anxious to stay independent as long as possible.

"Ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans are not going to be happy with a cup of tea and daytime TV."

The report says that by 2009 almost 18 million people in England will be aged 50 or over around a third of the population. In 2029 this will have risen to 23m.

It also flags up the areas with the highest and lowest proportions of over-50s. By next year 53% of people in West Somerset will be over 50 and by 2029 this will rise to 63%. Four other south-west districts are in the top 10.

This is a global issue; by 2025, one in three Japanese will be elderly. We all know that young people hold the key to helping; whether this is through hands-on care or developing technologies, medicines or creative solutions to tomorrow's dilemmas. So shouldn't older people be doing everything in their power to engage with and enlist the support of young people. It would make sense, surely and be equally mad to demonise them. Yet we do exactly this. Through the media and in our everyday language. Take a look at the first part of this teachers TV clip and listen for the word 'offender' - we are talking about 11 year old children. The very people who, when today's 45 year-old teacher retires will be 31.

I'm not critisicing the staff in the video; the language is part of the fabric of organisations, and it's been there many years. Like the word 'patient' and 'case' in healthcare. Language is so very powerful. More than we recognise. Mike Temple's excellent blog on behaviour management includes a fascinating insight into primary pupil's perceptions; in response to a simple question, "What is love?" one 4-year old replied,

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouths."
Billy- age 4

It's hard to convey such unconditionality when you're talking to 'an offender' and they know it. Particularly the very children with the greatest needs.

I don't think the answer lies solely in top-down strategies, rather action on the ground- such as nursing home residents spending time working with young people on community projects (listen to Ken Robinson's example from Tulsa, Oklahoma 19:50 into the clip, but it's all quality) and universities developing websites for older people (IBM project, Japan)

Technology offers such an exciting opportunity to share experiences and build trust and confidence not only in the technology itself, but in each other as people.

Here's looking forward to Praise Pod being another vehicle to unite and inspire.

children see, children do

Let everyone first get their house in order before criticising children for their failings. I'd give this video a '12' rating for the last few seconds' content, so view responsibly.

Watch Children_See.wmv in Family Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

It's widely regarded that the more aspects of a young person we see as positive, the better their mental health, and the better their life in general.  So here I am at Broom Valley primary school. I'm early for a meeting so  I look round the lobby and see certificates, values (more on those later) and a fantastic board of photos showing the wide variety of bilingual students in the school. Celebrating diversity in its most real sense.  

As for the school's values, they are agreed through school council and more importantly lived and breathed within school.  You fancy a job here? (I personally would recommend applying) well the first value to hit you in the face is 'we do not shout' - if you think it's ok to do so then fine, but not here.  Ply your trade elsewhere and save your modeling of lack of control for another cohort.  It is widely recognised that shouting indicates a loss of control that helps no-one.

Unsurprisingly, there are too many positives going on at Broom Valley to take the attention.    The odd fall from grace becomes insignificant. Far from 'the slippery slope' it is simply a one-off exception to the rule.  After all who hasn't on occasion told a lie. . . 

As with any effective system, Broom Valley's doesn't sit on a shelf- its reward tokens are the first thing you see on entering the school and the very same rewards are shining in the eyes of the pupils who simply love being in school.

And so to the parameters of the praise pod- what are the keywords to get attention?  fidgeting- No. Inquisitive challenge - yes. Shouting; not even a chance. There's simply too much going on that is positive.