ABUSE AND NEGLECT

ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Miss Amal Al Saab at Future Experts Kindergarten shares the story of a child who faced physical abuse and lack of attention

I had a child named *Salahuddin in my KG 2 class who was dealing with physical abuse at home and neglect. When he would come to school, sometimes his hair would be unkempt and his clothes un-ironed (with stains at times as well). I would have to clean him up and tidy his clothes so he wouldn’t stand out. I could tell that he wasn’t given attention at home – he was sent to school in a shabby condition and sleepy like he had just woken up and gotten dropped off.

His bag wouldn’t be packed properly. He may or may not have lunch. He would be in a swollen mood.

So when I’d take him aside to clean him up, I would also joke around and talk to him to change his mood. He would then be able to interact with his classmates and enjoy his day.

One day, we had a career day festival and all the parents were asked to send kids in clothes that would be in line with the festival. Salahuddin, of course, came in his usual clothes, in the usual scruffy condition.

Naturally, he was angry when he saw other kids dressed up. I went to the school store, bought him some clothes and changed him. I asked him to pick out an outfit for himself in fact. He was very pleased and excited at the same time.

Another day, he came to school with scars on his face. I asked him how it happened and he hinted towards his mother. We called her in to discuss the matter and how it was affecting him negatively.

While most parents don’t see what’s wrong with physically abusing their children and have their own ways of disciplining, Salahuddin’s mother understood where we were coming from.

She would then send him to school properly dressed, with his bag organized and in a much better mood.

Sometimes, taking the parents aside and discussing how something is affecting their children is important, and in Salahuddin’s case, it worked.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the children.