Re: a meaty first time question for GC?

Well, working with kids, that's something I've thought about. "Favouritism" is clearly a negative term; yet at the same time, everyone who has regular contact with groups of children - whether ped or not - obviously likes some more than others.

I guess there are a couple of factors here. Obviously unfairly 'favouring' a kid professionally (selecting them out over others for certain things just because you like them, or whatever) is way out of order, and bad for them.

But I don't think there's anything wrong at all with responding to children's characters: showing that you like and appreciate likeable qualities in them. If they see there's a potential of friendliness and relationship between them and you, that's generally appreciated. At S's school, the kids know there's a very close friendliness developed between me and her, and they clearly like it. I guess it's because it shows you're seeing them as individuals rather than a collective 'mass'.

I guess it basically comes down to having a bit of sensitivity to the kids generally. Take note of perceptions and be personally as well as professionally 'open' to all of them. If that makes sense. Bit of a long answer, I know, but you're right, it is a 'meaty' question:)