On a board in the pre-schoolers' classroom is an attractive chart entitled "School Rules".
There aren't many rules but most of them are quite challenging for human beings like 'Speak kindly to one another'. The children know it's what they are supposed to do but sometimes when somebody infuriates them it gets forgotten and a teacher is needed to point out that although we all get cross, yelling and hitting only causes more upset. You may want to do it, a teacher will say, but you can stand up for yourself without resorting to violence.
It's guidance like this that makes these little children such a joy. They certainly aren't angels and they argue in the playground as children do and get upsides with one another but anti-social nastiness is simply not tolerated so it doesn't happen.
I'd like to see Juffrou Zaan as Minister of Law and Order in the land, I have to say.
