go! go! go! society...
I'm reading a book called Einstein Never Used Flashcards. I'm not sure why I got it from the library, but recently I've been more interested in child development and this caught my eye, since it's different from many of the other books that are encouraging children to test well and achieve much at a very early age. Ooh--and from reading the classifieds, looking for jobs, and seeing a number of "infant teacher" positions open, and teacher positions open at "academic preschools" (*shudder*). This book basically talks about how we, who live in the era of the "cult of achievement", are stressing out our kids. I can see it in the school I volunteer in (with first graders). And the area I grew up in was all about grooming your children to be the best--music lessons, sports lessons, soccer moms & dads--the land of overscheduled children and moms (now increasingly nannies, no doubt) who spend most of their day in a minivan. I was lucky that my Mom was sensitive to that, and that my sisters and I weren't overwhelmed with activities. She read books like The Hurried Child rather than books like Bring Out the Genius in Your Child and 365 Ways to a Smarter Preschooler.
Here's a quote, since I love me some quotes:
Whatever happened to play? It has become a four-letter word! In 1981, a typical school-age child had aobut 40 percent of her time open for play. By 1997 that time fr play had diminished to 25 percent. Further, 40 percent of school districts in America have even eliminated recess. [a frightening thought, really, since I see the first graders occasionally on days they have no time to get outside and run around, and they're NOT easy to work with in the classroom (not surprisingly). I'd be willing to bet that the schools that have eliminated recess are now dealing with a rise in behavior problems.]
...Many districts are now considering making reading skills a requirementto get into kindergarten--even thought most child experts agree that time in preschool and kindergarten is better spent on experiential play and building relationships.
Not surprisingly, our children are suffering from excessive depression and anxiety. ... Children's anxiety levels have increased significantly since the 1950s, with children as young as 9 now experiencing anxiety attacks.
Here's a quote, since I love me some quotes:
Whatever happened to play? It has become a four-letter word! In 1981, a typical school-age child had aobut 40 percent of her time open for play. By 1997 that time fr play had diminished to 25 percent. Further, 40 percent of school districts in America have even eliminated recess. [a frightening thought, really, since I see the first graders occasionally on days they have no time to get outside and run around, and they're NOT easy to work with in the classroom (not surprisingly). I'd be willing to bet that the schools that have eliminated recess are now dealing with a rise in behavior problems.]
...Many districts are now considering making reading skills a requirementto get into kindergarten--even thought most child experts agree that time in preschool and kindergarten is better spent on experiential play and building relationships.
Not surprisingly, our children are suffering from excessive depression and anxiety. ... Children's anxiety levels have increased significantly since the 1950s, with children as young as 9 now experiencing anxiety attacks.