A Conversation With My 8YO Brain Defense Student

“I have a question,” said my 8-year-old student in my Brain Defense class.

I could tell that she was shy to ask; she is usually quick to answer and sharp for her age.

She stayed back after class to tell me:

“I was in school and asked my teacher if I can go toilet. She said ok so I went.

Then another boy in class also went to the toilet at the same time. Then when we came out, he hit my bum.”

“Oh what did you do?” I asked.

“I told the teacher but she didn’t believe me and didn’t do anything.”

“Oh how did you feel when the boy did that to you?” I asked.

“I felt disgusted.”

I asked her which school she is from.

She said a long name that I could not recognised. Then she told me she is dialing in from Malaysia.

I was relieved that it was not a school in my country, but at the same time remembered that no child should have to experience that, especially in school, regardless of which country they live in.

The same little girl asked why people make pornography when it is harmful.

Almost every class has a young child asking that question.

I feel sad that I need to address the issue when they are so young, yet this is the reality of the environment that they are growing up in.

How can we adults enable our children to enjoy their childhood, really? Is there such a thing as childhood innocence anymore?