Labels and Liberation

Are We Having Fun Yet

This flow traces the movement from fixed judgments about children toward a practice of allowing development and change.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Nun's Warning The Nun's Warning from "Are We Having Fun Yet". A Rule Against Classification A nun warns new teachers never to label students because labels can stunt growth.

The Nun's Warning from "Are We Having Fun Yet". A Rule Against Classification A nun warns new teachers never to label students because labels can stunt growth.

A Rule Against Classification A nun warns new teachers never to label students because labels can stunt growth. Immediate Recognition Kay Willis realizes that she has already assigned fixed identities to her own children. New Responsibility Teaching becomes an exercise in keeping possibility open.

Family Categories Family Categories from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Children as Types Kay Willis sees how easily parents describe one child as clever, difficult, athletic, or troublesome.

Family Categories from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Children as Types Kay Willis sees how easily parents describe one child as clever, difficult, athletic, or troublesome.

Children as Types Kay Willis sees how easily parents describe one child as clever, difficult, athletic, or troublesome. Hidden Consequence A temporary behavior begins to look like permanent character. Development Restricted The label silently lowers the range of futures a child is allowed to inhabit.

Positive Labels Positive Labels from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Praise Can Also Trap Even favorable labels can burden high-achieving children who fear every mistake.

Positive Labels from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Praise Can Also Trap Even favorable labels can burden high-achieving children who fear every mistake.

Praise Can Also Trap Even favorable labels can burden high-achieving children who fear every mistake. Pedestal Pressure The child expected to be perfect may stop risking failure. Balanced Encouragement Effort deserves praise without turning achievement into identity.

Sibling Name Calling Sibling Name Calling from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Words That Wound Siblings use labels and insults to define one another during conflict.

Sibling Name Calling from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Words That Wound Siblings use labels and insults to define one another during conflict.

Words That Wound Siblings use labels and insults to define one another during conflict. Lasting Damage Verbal attacks may remain longer than physical injuries because they become internal beliefs. Protective Boundary Kay Willis forbids language designed to diminish someone loved.

Room to Change Room to Change from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Development Kept Open Kay Willis asks parents to expect growth rather than predict a child's limits.

Room to Change from "Are We Having Fun Yet". Development Kept Open Kay Willis asks parents to expect growth rather than predict a child's limits.

Development Kept Open Kay Willis asks parents to expect growth rather than predict a child's limits. Freedom From Typecasting Children are encouraged to surprise adults and themselves. Larger Future The family becomes healthier when identity remains a living process.

during Kay Willis's religious education training

during Kay Willis's reflection after the workshop

during the chapter on classification

during the discussion of household rivalry

near the conclusion of the labels chapter