Quote:
Originally Posted by skippy
This can be a trickle-down effect as we overload our kids because as parents we are overloaded ourselves. For example, I dont know how many times my parents have asked why we do things to our son a certain way and my response is, "There's been so much more research in the last 30 years, it won't hurt him"
This can also relate to putting our kids in this school, that piano teacher, this karate class, that hockey team, etc... Like it was mentioned earlier, this is the information age and we are constantly bombarded with news and some people see those 'child prodigys' doing whatever it is they do and seem to think that their kid can be one too!
So what is enough for our kids? I dont know, maybe I need to do more research. Or maybe I could just get to know my kid and find out what he wants.
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And sadly, too many times it results in your kids being guinea pigs.
I am a former teacher. I have seen the changes in curriculum. And I was on committees that oversaw some curriculum changes and some of them were basically left field, not even in the ball park. Eg. Modifying the whole junior high math curriculum so that a child coming in mid year from another province or country would not be at a significant disadvantage. How many children did that benefit? Well such a small number that they abandoned the concept within 5 years. In the meantime, your children and my children are guinea pigs in the new program.
Of course, the world is changing, particularily in the maths and sciences, and you have to make sure your curriculum reflects the times. But you also have to realize that most children have to be a chronological age before they can learn some concepts as well. Yes, some children are gifted, perhaps 15% can learn a lot of things earlier than others. But then, is that percentage worth exposing the other 85% to failure at an earlier age? Or is it better to offer that 15% some gifted choices outside of their regular programs. The trick for parents is to recognize that not all of their Johnny's and Jane's fall into that 15% gifted segment.
As a country of course, you want to choose programs that will keep you competitive. You want your workforce to have the proper skills for the times.
But there has to be a balance. Without a balance, stress becomes a huge factor in the lives of everyone. And sadly, right now I see a lot of children never being given the time to relax and just be a kid.