Labels are made to sort things. There are sizes of clothing, types of food, and even prices at garage sales. We use them to create a sense of order for ourselves and the world.
But, with kids? I worry about the message behind labels.
Because what happens when we constantly remind kids of their label? You’re autistic. You’re gifted. You’re learning disabled. You’re dyslexic. What happens when some of the labels we’d proudly wear on a tshirt because of the misperceptions, and others are met with sympathetic eyes? Some labels are considered a “prize,” while others, “limiting.” For the record, I don’t see limits when I look at kids.
What happens is simple. We fail to see how the child realy, truly is. Not their label. Not because of a label. But, because of who they are as a human being.
And first and foremost, our children need to know who they are and feel confident about it. We need to build the kind of schools where labels don’t matter. Where needs are met because we know our kids hearts and souls. And if we get so caught up in their label? We might completely miss the chance to really know them.