Fair is Fair

It is hard to teach children about fairness. Children from a young age can perceive differences and are beginning to learn social rules; however, our brain also wants rewards and complicates a reaction to what it might register as injustice teaching-children-to-be-fair This delightful children's book by Varela explains giving each individual what they need not the same (amount) helps children understand fairness is not equal or the same. We have used it in classes to explain why children with special needs are given special flexible seating or fidgets but not al students need and benefit from them (they are a tool not tools). We have also used the book in self-regulation groups to talk about scenarios where initially things seemed "unfair" but after thinking it through or looking at it from another point of view it was fair. I have also recommended it to parents to explain why siblings of different ages have different responsibilities and privileges.