The Great Loadshedding Debate
Enjoy the learning as you think about a topic from a different perspective!
We started something new a little while ago, during a loadshedding peak (for us every evening between 6 and 8pm!) and not having quite enough light for boardgames. It was my husband’s idea of brilliance to hold a …debate! The organised, respectful, listening kind. We split into two teams and my husband decided on the first topic which was not too emotive – “Dogs being walked in the local conservancy should be kept on a lead” – for and against. Daughter and dad teamed up, and came up with some solid arguments for dogs being on leads. My son and I also, if I may say so, came up with some solid arguments too. It was a great process.
Set ground rules before you begin
We talked about things before and after such as how we listen, we don’t interrupt, we decided on what the actual process would be together, and we talked about what was difficult about debating.
Enjoy the learning
Our daughter was very for having dogs off lead at the start, by the end she was totally invested in having them on lead. We talked about having to debate from a position opposite to what you believe or perceive. She said at first it was hard for her, but by the end she could totally see the other side of the argument and debated quite convincingly.
There were a couple of times different teams interrupted the others and a show of frustration at this – we talked through how annoying it is to be interrupted and the importance of listening through to the end. We talked through different ways of doing debates and settled on one way together for this time. We’ll try something else next time.
There were no winners or losers. We decided we definitely can’t do this activity if any of us are tired or emotional, and that for future debates we’ll decide all together whether it’s a good time for it. We also did not get hung up on technical debating rules and process.
For me this was an amazing time to see my children think through an issue, put thoughts on paper and then form arguments. We all interacted as equals – mom and dad were by no means experts on the topic although I did throw in a cheeky “Research shows…” at one point. It was great to talk about the way we think and what we learned from it.
We’ve decided our next topic is “Children should set their own screen time limits.” Mom and dad on one team and the kids on the other. However, mom and dad are first arguing FOR (I KNOW!! Don’t you want a ringside seat??). My son is delighted – he says there is hope the rules at home will be changed as we’ll see ‘the other side’. Ha ha ha!! But here’s the kicker, there is going to be a second debate on this topic where the teams reverse their stance. I shall report back!
Our children are 11 and 12, so it’s a really good activity for their age and where they’re at. I would recommend this for children around 8 years old and above, and that teams be divided to take into account age and development.
If your family were to hold a debate, what would it be on? (Maybe start with something not too emotive, until you’ve established how it can work and how different family members respond.) Hold a debate and make a #playpledge
