WELLBEING AND INCLUSION

Equal is not always Fair!

We have been undertaking Professional Learning about how we can best support all students to experience success while at school. Adjustments have become a big part of our school toolkit. Making adjustments for students at school means that learning looks different for different students. Part of our focus here at Chilwell are discussions with students about the difference between equal and fair. 

How can we support student understanding of the difference between equal and fair?

We spend a lot of time discussing fairness with children. We teach them about taking turns, about sharing, and about making sure each child has the same number of cookies. We might call it fairness, but we are actually promoting equality, which is not the same thing. Equality means treating everyone the same way. It means providing each child with the same number of turns on the swings, the same number of carrots, and the same choices between which two books to read.

As children grow older, they begin to realize that they are not treated the same way as their siblings or classmates. They cry out, “That’s not fair!” when parents or teachers treat different children differently. What children mean is that what they are seeing is not equal. It is likely, however, completely fair.

From an educational perspective, fairness means providing each student with what he or she needs in order to be successful. Different students need different supports to achieve a desired outcome. As parents and teachers know, fairness means approaching each child differently based on different needs. Treating everyone equally, as though the are the same, is counterproductive to the goal of success.

Fairness at school and at home.

Understanding the concept of fairness is critical in a young person’s life. In the classroom, different children will receive adjustments to help them meet their goals. As children become more exposed to the concept of fairness or in other words equity, they will grow to be more considerate of others’ needs and more aware of their own. 

At home, this is also applicable to sibling relationships. A younger sibling or a baby will need more attention because they are less independent and need more adult care. This is an opportunity to remind the older child that although it feels unfair, you are trying to give everyone what they need to be well. You can remind the older child about some of the opportunities they receive, because of their own individual needs and capabilities, such as picking out their own costume for the school concert.

Virginnia Gilham  

Inclusive Practices Leader

Source: https://betterkids.education/blog/thats-not-fair-teaching-the-meaning-of-fairness