Can a very young child be required to sign an agreement?

[OHRoadwarrior]

Make sure she understands no kiddie porn aloud!!!

Seriously, it is to start teaching her responsibility and that she has a vested interest in her own behavior.

 

[Silverplum]

Schools ask for such kabuki theater for a couple of reasons. First, while it has no legal significance as to making an agreement, it could go a way to showing the child was aware of the policy.

Precisely.

Second, for older children, it creates a psychological agreement with the policy. "You said you agreed with it." can be a powerful control on children as no one wants to be seen to be hypocritical.

Perhaps.
I don't care what kids "think," myself.

 

[HRE0927]

While I agree with the others that this is probably no big deal, I am leery of the school asking a kindergartener to personally sign for network admin / computer use policies.

Not just because the notion of a 5-6 year old child signing to anything is like this is bordering on asinine.

This smacks of school policy kabuki theater more than anything.

I'd have the kid scrawl on it in crayon or whatever and then demand some hard answers about what the brass tacks of school computer security was, how my child would be PROTECTED, not this form signing pantomime that some of the other advisers seem to think is a great lesson...

It seems to be more of a getting their i's dotted and t's crossed....i think what would be handy is a class where the kids are taught computer security and school network policies. Kids this age really learn better by doing, not as much by explaining. Of course...I could just imagine a class full of kindergarterners being taught this.....and how quickly it would fall into a cacophany of kids demanding to play angry birds (my daughter is fond of MS Paint herself )

 

[Just Blue]

While I agree with the others that this is probably no big deal, I am leery of the school asking a kindergartener to personally sign for network admin / computer use policies.

Not just because the notion of a 5-6 year old child signing to anything is like this is bordering on asinine.

This smacks of school policy kabuki theater more than anything.

I'd have the kid scrawl on it in crayon or whatever and then demand some hard answers about what the brass tacks of school computer security was, how my child would be PROTECTED, not this form signing pantomime that some of the other advisers seem to think is a great lesson...

Xylene, Do you have children? Do you understand the idea with this "contract" is to have parent/s go over school "rules and regs' with their child/ren ? It is simply a tool to involve parents and students with school policy.

 

[xylene]

Schools ask for such kabuki theater for a couple of reasons. First, while it has no legal significance as to making an agreement, it could go a way to showing the child was aware of the policy. Second, for older children, it creates a psychological agreement with the policy. "You said you agreed with it." can be a powerful control on children as no one wants to be seen to be hypocritical.

Many things are that very appropriate for older children, are comical, even tragic when a one size fits all mentality in the administration applies them to inappropriately young children.

I think schools have as their primary interests: protecting and educating children. Apparently the administrators referenced in the school in this thread think students are to be controlled and have a good awareness of the rules starting with kindergarten.

 

[tranquility]

Perhaps.
I don't care what kids "think," myself.

Not in the context of a younger child. But, having coached high school sports, I can tell you it is a lot easier to control a person who has bought in to the policy (even if by psychological trick) than one who must just follow the rules. Rather like the salesman's trick of getting you to agree to a couple of things before getting to the real question.

Scenario #1
Salesman: "You like the color?"
Silverplum: "Yes."
Salesman: "How about the size?"
Silverplum: "Yes."
Salesman: "Would you sign on the dotted line?"

Scenario #2
Salesman: "If you like the color and the size, would you sign on the dotted line?"

Scenario #1 gets a lot more sales than Scenario #2 even if the underlying facts about what Silverplum likes are the same.

 

[Silverplum]

Not in the context of a younger child. But, having coached high school sports, I can tell you it is a lot easier to control a person who has bought in to the policy (even if by psychological trick) than one who must just follow the rules. Rather like the salesman's trick of getting you to agree to a couple of things before getting to the real question.

Scenario #1
Salesman: "You like the color?"
Silverplum: "Yes."
Salesman: "How about the size?"
Silverplum: "Yes."
Salesman: "Would you sign on the dotted line?"

Scenario #2
Salesman: "If you like the color and the size, would you sign on the dotted line?"

Scenario #1 gets a lot more sales than Scenario #2 even if the underlying facts about what Silverplum likes are the same.

Certainly, I agree with you. It's difficult to explain that I just don't care, yet still can see your point.

God bless teachers. I'd rather be set on fire than do that job.

 

[Just Blue]

Not in the context of a younger child. But, having coached high school sports, I can tell you it is a lot easier to control a person who has bought in to the policy (even if by psychological trick) than one who must just follow the rules. Rather like the salesman's trick of getting you to agree to a couple of things before getting to the real question.

Scenario #1
Salesman: "You like the color?"
Silverplum: "Yes."
Salesman: "How about the size?"
Silverplum: "Yes."
Salesman: "Would you sign on the dotted line?"

Scenario #2
Salesman: "If you like the color and the size, would you sign on the dotted line?"

Scenario #1 gets a lot more sales than Scenario #2 even if the underlying facts about what Silverplum likes are the same.

IMHO!!()

When both my children were "requested" to sign these forms at p-k to High School (oldest) and I and their father were also requested to sign these forms. We, as parents, looked over the forms and discussed with the children, in AGE APPROPRIATE TERMS, that if they wished to utilize the computer/internet at their school(s) then they will have to follow the rules. That being said.... My child(ren) were/are place in school systems that are wonderful and would not allow a child to access inappropriate sites.

Again. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your child to "contractual agreement". IMHO.

 

[ecmst12]

Yes, one of the most important things that children learn in kindergarden is about what kinds of behaviors are appropriate in school, and what the rules are. You sit down and stop talking when the teacher gives the signal, you sit in a circle when it's time, you eat lunch with the other children and don't throw your food at them, you come in from recess when you hear the whistle...getting along in society is all about learning the rules. For a 5 year old, their world is very black and white, they are not mature enough to be able to judge situaltionally appropriate behavior, so you have to teach them in black and white, these are the rules. Then, when they get older, you can teach them how to figure out appropriate behavior without being explicitly told. But you can't start with anarchy in children and expect them to be able to become LESS chaotic later. What is the first thing you teach your child when they are old enough to walk? NO, don't touch the stove! Then when they are older, you can teach them to use the stove safely. But not when they are 9 months or a year and walking around!

 

[LdiJ]

Yes, one of the most important things that children learn in kindergarden is about what kinds of behaviors are appropriate in school, and what the rules are. You sit down and stop talking when the teacher gives the signal, you sit in a circle when it's time, you eat lunch with the other children and don't throw your food at them, you come in from recess when you hear the whistle...getting along in society is all about learning the rules. For a 5 year old, their world is very black and white, they are not mature enough to be able to judge situaltionally appropriate behavior, so you have to teach them in black and white, these are the rules. Then, when they get older, you can teach them how to figure out appropriate behavior without being explicitly told. But you can't start with anarchy in children and expect them to be able to become LESS chaotic later. What is the first thing you teach your child when they are old enough to walk? NO, don't touch the stove! Then when they are older, you can teach them to use the stove safely. But not when they are 9 months or a year and walking around!

My granddaughter learned ALL about contracts in Kindergarten...remember the fire alarm issue?...the ok, we are not going to suspend you this time because we honestly think that you did not understand what that lever did and all of the ramifications of that, but if you ever do it again you are going to be in BIG trouble...and she had to sign THAT contract.

 

[Ohiogal]

My granddaughter learned ALL about contracts in Kindergarten...remember the fire alarm issue?...the ok, we are not going to suspend you this time because we honestly think that you did not understand what that lever did and all of the ramifications of that, but if you ever do it again you are going to be in BIG trouble...and she had to sign THAT contract.

If she were older that could easily turn into, "since you pulled that nice lever, you are now going to spend some time at juvenile court and doing community service. Next time you will spend time in juvenile detention for committing various crimes associated with that little action. Have a good day."

 

[LdiJ]

If she were older that could easily turn into, "since you pulled that nice lever, you are now going to spend some time at juvenile court and doing community service. Next time you will spend time in juvenile detention for committing various crimes associated with that little action. Have a good day."

Of course, that was my whole point. She got a break because she was only 5, but she had to sign and understand the ramifications of what she did.

 

[ecmst12]

I also think the concept of civil disobedience is easier taught to someone who first understands the concept of obedience. It doesn't MEAN anything if you never follow any rules ever. It becomes meaningful when a citizen who lives an otherwise respectable life makes the conscious choice to disobey a rule or law, fully aware of the consequences, for reasons of conscience or justice.

 

[I'mTheFather]

Of course, these things can be truly useful during disciplinary hearings. They may also serve to protect the district from liability should any child venture onto an inappropriate site.

 

[xylene]

Of course, these things can be truly useful during disciplinary hearings. They may also serve to protect the district from liability should any child venture onto an inappropriate site.

Schools need to be prepared with a full signature agreement of parent and student of zero tolerance policies for KINDERGARTENERS.