Nursery World - Children are only human

The letter from Emma MacDonald (18 November) about smacking typically demonstrates how little some people regard children within society. She suggests, 'parents are only human and make mistakes like everyone else'. But children are human too! They feel intimidated, feel pain, hold fears and have many more internalised experiences, just like you and me.

She suggests, 'parents are only human and make mistakes like everyone else'. But children are human too! They feel intimidated, feel pain, hold fears and have many more internalised experiences, just like you and me.

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society and rely on mature, law-abiding adults to keep them safe. Rights as parents should not give an automatic passport to bullying or abusing.

Smacking informs children that under certain conditions it is OK to physically assault another person, which in itself subconsciously teaches children a behaviour that we may later chastise them for. How can you guide a child into acceptable forms of behaviour while, in doing this, you use unacceptable forms of behaviour yourself?

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