Child Life Agreements

Background

The Child Life Committee created this document under the following circumstances:

  • desire for consistency among Cascadia parents,
  • concerns by non-parents about Cascadia kids’ behavior and lack of context and mechanisms for addressing those concerns,
  • the wish to smoothly integrate new children (and their parents) into the community,
  • providing clear expectations for visiting children, and the need for consistency in relating to neighbor children.

The Agreements and Guidelines were adopted by the community in June, 2002. 

Introduction

The Child Life Committee has composed the following Agreements to help keep our children safe, which we expect them to follow and Cascadia adults to support them in doing so. We also offer Guidelines for Adults and Children, with which we desire to create a caring and respectful context for relating. We present them in the spirit of making our expectations explicit and clarifying when and how we feel it is appropriate for adults to intervene with children. This is a living document, meant to change and grow with the children arid the community.

In general, let common sense and safety prevail; the specifics below are to provide a shared starting point.

Definitions

Supervision: At least 1 adult is aware of whereabouts and is in charge of children, although not necessarily in the immediate vicinity.

On-site supervision: At least 1 adult is in the immediate vicinity (can see, hear, and communicate with children) and is in charge.

Playing: Children using a location in an appropriate manner, such as reading quietly in the Library or participating on a Cook Team, are not considered to be “playing” (except, of course, in the Play Room or Rec Room).

Exceptions: Children gradually outgrow the need for constant supervision. The Child Life Committee will work with the patent(s) and child to honor and acknowledge to the full community when the child’s maturity level develops beyond the supervisory standards set below.

Childcare: Babysitters (adults, teens, or mature children) are not expected and should not be asked to supervise anyone but the children for whom they have been hired to provide care.

Agreements

Bicycles, scooters, roller skates/blades, and other wheeled conveyances

  • Pedestrians have the right-of-way on sidewalks.
  • Maintain an awareness of and respect for the slowest and least skilled riders.
  • On the bridge, ride only as fast as a person can walk.
  • Helmets are required at all times.
  • Ride only during daylight hours.
  • Keep bikes, scooters, and other things with wheels off the grass and out of gardens.

Sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, cars

  • Keep sidewalks clear.
  • Driveways and Parking Lots are throughways, not destinations for play (for instance, occasional bike riding through these areas is okay if riders are careful and attentive to traffic).
  • Cars are not considered play equipment.

Kids play in Common House only with on-site adult supervision

  • Play upstairs only when a supervising adult is upstairs.
  • Couch jumping and furniture climbing in Rec Room only.
  • The Kitchen is not a play area.
  • Return toys to the Play Room and Rec Room.
  • Rating and drinking only in the Dining Room and Kitchen.
  • Enter Play Room through the door only (not windows).

Visiting within the community

  • Kids should check in with their parents (or other supervising adult) before going into someone’s home; adults are requested to ask visiting children if their parents know where they are,
  • Going home after dark, young children should be watched until they arrive at their door.

Kids play in the Garden only with adult supervision

  • Harvest only with adult knowledge and approval.
  • Stay off straw bales.

Kids go in Wetlands and Woods only with on-site adult supervision.

Kids work in Shop only with on-site adult supervision.

Neighbor children and non-resident children

Parents of visiting children are requested to have an adult-to-adult check-in with Cascadia parents at the beginning of play, to participate (at least occasionally) in supervising their children at play in common areas, and to respect the above Agreements and any other limits (such as time and location) that Cascadia parents may need to set.

Guidelines for Adults

If a child in our community behaves in my presence in a way that I see as wrong or dangerous and I lovingly intervene, our community family is strengthened. Therefore, I strive to demonstrate personal responsibility for the children in my community by:

  • my own positive example,
  • supporting the following children’s guidelines with justice and truth by asking questions instead of accusing or tattling, 
  • but without violence or verbal abuse, and by
  • empowering others to do the same.

In addition, I agree to supportively inform parents (and others when appropriate) when I have been involved in or have witnessed an inspiring or troubling incident with a child of theirs.

Guidelines for Children

Children are held responsible to:

  • respect others’ property
  • refrain from on-purpose physical or emotional unkindness to others, and
  • be aware of their own and other’s personal boundaries and safety.

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1/13/07