The Whale Shark and the Classroom: Understanding “Won’t” vs. “Can’t”

Moving from Frustration to Support

When we reframe “won’t” as “can’t”, our approach changes from discipline to intervention.

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1. Fix the Gear: Provide the right accommodations (audio books, speech-to-text, or visual checklists).
2. Clear the Water: Simplify instructions and reduce environmental distractions.
3. Close the Gap: Meet the students where they landed, rather than where we expected them to be, and provide the scaffolding necessary to help them move forward.

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By recognizing the “can’t”, we protect a child’s self-esteem and provide them with the specific tools they need to start swimming again. Success in the classroom, much like in the ocean, requires more than just motivation, it requires the right conditions to thrive.