A picture book aimed at teaching children they do not have to carry other people’s burdens has been donated to pupils at Wakefield School, with more to share in the community.
More than 250 copies of ‘This is not yours to carry’ have been donated by its authors, Sarah and Matt Brown, who wrote it with their eldest daughter, Oceana Olsen, to share a message of hope, healing and freedom for children living with violence.
It uses the metaphor of carrying a backpack for children to be able to see the burden as something they carry – or don’t have to carry.
It’s a subject close to the heart of deputy principal Emma Hunter, who is completing a PhD that focuses on how to support both teachers and students through trauma-informed practices.
She approached the authors of the book with the aim of getting a few for the library because the story follows the school’s ‘trauma-informed neuroscience, whole brain’ approach.
Their response was a free book for every pupil to take home to spread their message wider.
As Emma explains, trauma can stem from just about anything, whether it’s a flood, car accident, family breakup or some other feeling. Children often blame themselves because they don’t know how to manage their emotions and they then carry that burden.
She says Aotearoa New Zealand consistently ranks among the highest in the OECD for youth suicide and increasing classroom challenges are a growing concern in the education sector. It has led to many teachers citing student behaviour and emotional needs as reasons for leaving the profession.
Poor behaviour often leads to kids being labelled as attention seekers, but Emma says it is actually their way of trying to connect.
“It’s not attention seeking; we’re biologically wired for connection. Behaviour is a form of communication – good or bad.
“Behaviour is often a sign that children are struggling. It is not about being naughty - it is about needing support.”
She plans to distribute some of the books into the wider community to places such as a doctor’s surgery, police, Women’s Refuge, or anywhere families can pick up the book and read it.
