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 Are kids under too much pressure?
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl

4687 Posts

Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  11:26:09 AM  Show Profile  Send catscharm74 a Yahoo! Message
Just trying to get a general feel here:
My son is starting at a daycare/school in a few weeks. He will be one year old. We choose the school because we want him to socialize and the hours work with me working. They were very interested in his developement which was a good sign but at the same time they made several comments about what other kids are already doing at his age:

Several already knew their alphabet and some were studying second languages. Others were taking extra classes like dance, swimming, t-ball. His class consists of age 1-3.

While I want my son to be able to keep up, the pressure to succeed academically at such a young age scares me. Do y'all think kids are too pressured these days?

I just ordered the book "Einstein never used Flashcards". Basically, it comes down we need to let our kids be kids, play with them, let them play, love them and they will develope just fine.

Any input,thoughts???

Cheers,
Heather

DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl

1646 Posts

Diane
Victoria BC
Canada
1646 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  11:44:13 AM  Show Profile
This is my thought in general Heather, and certainly not meant as personal...please don't take it that way. I think the book you mentioned sounds like a really good one.

My personal perception is that is seems we have come to a point where there is some kind of competition between some parents as to how much their BABIES can memorize at the earliest possible age. I say memorize, because there is no one-year-old that can recite the alphabet and relate it to written language. Parents who have a baby that can recite the alphabet at one year are NO better parents than those whose baby doesn't utter a word until later.

A nurtured, one-year-old baby that doesn't utter a word yet is far more emotionally stable and secure than one that is put into a school environment at such a young age with no coping skills.

...such is my own opinion and I'm sure I've opened a can of worms here.

Di

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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl

11381 Posts

Jenny
middle of Utah
USA
11381 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  12:00:24 PM  Show Profile
I agree totally Di!

Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl

703 Posts

Ann
Belmont MI
USA
703 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  12:15:26 PM  Show Profile
Heather,

This subject pops up often among my friends too. I really do think that so many parents want to give their children the best of everything. There are so many opportunities to offer children and some parents, as well meaning as they may be, do involve their children in way too many activities. As a society, I think that we can get bombarded with activity just as much as we get bombarded with computers, television and advertising everywhere we look. Personally, I fight for down time with my kids.

It was interesting to see the reactions that I got from different parents when I said that we had decided to not send our girls to preschool. My son attended preschool because I was working full time at that time, but when the girls came along, we decided that they had enough activity going on that we didn't need to go that route. My advice from teachers was that as long as they were getting lots of love and attention at home, they should be ready for kindergarten without a problem. I have to say that once in kindergarten, I was told that the girls were able to concentrate better than some others who had gone thru various "programs" already in their young life.

I really think that children learn the most when we as parents spend time with them the way that we are meant to.

My two cents. Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl

4813 Posts

Julie
Russell AR
USA
4813 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  12:17:37 PM  Show Profile
The one advantage I see to kids knowing this stuff is that t usually means someone is actually spending time with the child. I work in a public school and our school has a preschool program. The kids htat come in knowing ABC's and all that stuff usually do better but not because they know them. I think it is because someone has worked with them and they have developed some social skills. there are some kids that come in and I honestly believe they spent three years in a crib wtih the TV being their main source of interaction with others.

IF I had children I see myself as being interested in teaching my kids all kids of things like other languages and such. When you are younger your mind is so much more open to it. But I am also a HUGE promoter of free play and imaginitive play. I think there is a place where you need to draw a line but I think it all depends on the individual child and the family. It is difficult to pass judgement on others just based on observation. Some families may just enjoy learning and pass it on to there kids. I don't think it is fair to say they are in competition with others. Although it certainly is possibl.

Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl

4687 Posts

Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  12:23:37 PM  Show Profile  Send catscharm74 a Yahoo! Message
Oh DI- I agree with you 100%. Parents are putting their own ideas off onto their kids and it becomes about competition. I told them woman at the school that I just wanted him to get out with kids more, maybe learn a little something and just enjoy being a kid. She agreed but really pushed the academic thing. We are going to give it 2-3 months to see how it goes.

Another thing that scares me is my girlfriend is a substitute teacher at her 5 year olds school. From kindergarten, he has done 8 "worksheets" of homework every night. Recess is no longer after you pass second grade. You have to pass a state exam to graduate from kindergarten. It is sooooo scary to me!!!

I was a slow learner and based on the tests today, probably would have NOT made it out of kindergarten on my first try. But my mom nurtured me at home with the library, active play, lots of exercise, very little tv and I knw I turned out wonderful... ; )
Seriously, I did so well in college I finally realized I wasn't dumb or slow, but actually pretty intelligent. Now go tell that to all the teachers who did not encourage me or put effort into all the slow kids.

We always played when we got home from school, ate dinner then did our homework.

One reason I am looking forward to a more simple, country life is to do the same thing.
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl

712 Posts

Holly
Abilene KS
712 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  1:17:12 PM  Show Profile
Way! No one year old NEEDS to be in preschool -- as you stated in your post, it's more of a glorified babysitting than anything. It works for Mom to go back to work etc (which I understand but disagree with when kiddos are this small! for what it's worth).

Kids need to be allowed to be children, to run & play, read, daydream, pretend and learn. At 1-3 they just need lots of attention, free time to play, etc.

It's my humble opinion that the precise reason we have so many issues with kids/teens these days is because many of them feel totally abandoned to the systym way to early in life and they don't have a solid foundation to stand on. A sense of belonging and peace.

Doing away with recess is another example of feminizing our schools -- all kids but boys especially need to run!! To get up and move. Having to pass a state exam to graduate from High School is one thing (another plug for homeschooling ;)) but K -- get a grip people!

When did it become more important to know facts than to be a kid with charecter?

Holly



As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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Juliekay
True Blue Farmgirl

237 Posts



237 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  1:51:55 PM  Show Profile
Try to be aware of the fact that catscharm didn't ask whether it was right or wrong to put her kids in daycare. She asked if she should be worried if he will feel pressures in a lot of activities. I think throwing in the opinion that she shouldn't even be putting him in school is an unnecessary guilt trip, imho. That's her decision to make and she wasn't asking for permission.

Julie
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl

4687 Posts

Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  1:57:25 PM  Show Profile  Send catscharm74 a Yahoo! Message
Julie- I don't get offended and realize people have their reasons but thanks for sticking up for me!!! I will always do what I want... : )

Cheers,

Heather
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl

1140 Posts

Betty Jo
West Bend Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  2:13:36 PM  Show Profile  Click to see bboopster's MSN Messenger address
Holly I agree! I am a preschool teacher for 5 year olds at present but worked with high schoolers the last 10 years. Children need a good stable family life. To have an adult there to talk with, play with, READ TO, and show them the world. The birds in the trees making nests, the snow melting and running into a storm sewer, the sound it makes, what it looks and feels like. How many birds can sit on the bird feeder at one time. The leaves turning colors on the trees. The statements I made are filled with science, math, health, and the big one READING activities. I want to explode when I hear a parent say their two year old knows their ABC and then has them sing the song to you. It's a song and singing is good but that child does not and it is not age apporiate to identify and reconize their ABC's. Most children think LMNOP is one letter. I find that the children I have and had worked with do their best when they have had a stable family up bringing. But for some children their only stable place is a preschool. A good preschool should be doing age apporiate activities. I have always been a fan of the home daycare services. Many states have organizations that watch over these homes and make sure they are following guidelines for food, activities ect... That the person who is offering this service is trained and schooled in children and they are expected to do continuing education every year. Most times the person offering these services are well educated and provide a family atmosphere while caring for your child. Funny I work at a center and I would not put my child in one. Not that it's a bad center I just feel to many centers are pushing children so that they can make a name for themselves (we produce smart children)to produce more income. But I also think too many parents just drop their children off because they do not want to spend the time with them playing and doing activities. It's cheaper and easier to let someone else do the parenting. All of the high schoolers I dealt with (I worked with EBD Emoitional Behavioral disabilities students) Had sad family stories and its a wonder they even made it that far. Are children under to much pressure? YES, they are.

3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>)
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl

172 Posts

Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  3:03:16 PM  Show Profile
I've read Einstein Never Used Flashcards, and basically, it just cemented, with scientific evidence, my instincts regarding childhood and education. I read that book several months ago now, and the thing I remember most about it is some study done with kids who were put in a room with a toy. They used it in many different and creative ways, and then there were kids who were "shown" how to use it, and they couldn't think outside the box as well. It also had really neat information on brain development- I remember them talking about how babies couldn't process 2D photos- they'd try to grab the object on the page- I watched as my daughter tried to grab the face of a baby in a book! Several months later, she's outgrown that. :) I wish I actually owned the book, so I could follow along.

To speak to the original question, I think kids ARE under too much pressure. I call it the "Baby Einstein Mentality" - where kids are pressured at younger and younger ages to excel intellectually and parents are buying all these educational toys, infant curriculums, etc. We get sucked into thinking our kids NEED these things, or they will be "behind". The question is, "behind what?" What is normal? I read somewhere (not in the book), that kids brains aren't primed to read until the age of 7. (Yet, I know many 3 year olds that can read, and I taught myself to read in kindergarten (5, I think?). Plus, not everything has to be "educational". Sometimes, and ESPECIALLY when you're 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 22, 50- there should be things that are done for the pure PLEASURE of it! FUN! I also think that when you pressure a child to excel too much, then they can be turned off of the experience of learning, and the wonder and pleasure of learning. And that's the LAST thing I want to do for my kids!

I was allowed a LOT of time, even now, to think. I would just sit there, "doing nothing", and THINK. And I think it's helped me be really self aware, and helped me grow as a person. It's also increased my patience. I don't get all bent out of shape waiting in line- my dh can't sit still for two minutes without finding something to do, because he would get "bored". I think that's evidence of the different ways we were raised.

Edit: I just read your child is one. I have a 13 month old. :) I definitely think this is an age to let them just BE. If you are observant (and I"m sure you are), you can see how much your child is learning every day! I'm just amazed at what dd is picking up, and I'm not "doing" anything with her. (Which reminds me, to post about a cute thing she did today.) At the age of one, kids don't play *with* one another. They don't start doing that til around the age of two, and then it's not for very long or very often. I wouldn't even START worrying about socialization until 2. (I do plan on getting dd into a dance class around the age of 2 or 3, cause she really enjoys music and already dances around the house!:))

Edited by - Persephone on Mar 13 2007 3:11:23 PM
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shelle
True Blue Farmgirl

404 Posts

Shelle
oklahoma
USA
404 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  3:20:28 PM  Show Profile
I agree that there is too much pressure on young children nowdays. I think it was true to a certain extent even when my children where preschoolers 20 yrs ago too. I believe that it is great to educate your child but when it becomes a parental competition is when it crosses the line in my opinion.

I did send both my kids to preschool when they were 3 yrs old and felt like it was a great social experience particuliarly because I was a stay at home mother and this was a great way to expose my children to others.

My grandson is two and he goes to a home day care and doesnt attend preschool yet. I am not sure if he will begin attending preschool next fall or not yet. I would rather he wait until he is 3 yrs old though.

Shelle



http://janzenfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl

712 Posts

Holly
Abilene KS
712 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  9:21:18 PM  Show Profile
um JulieKay I'm entitled to add my opinion -- as I stated it's my opinion I wasn't condeming anyone just stating what I think which does go right along with the pressure. To much pressure on kids & on Mom's to do it all instead of just enjoying being a Mom! Our kids childhoods are so short and I think they need that stability with Mom at home when they are little.

Sounds to me like you're the one who's upset. Sorry.

Blessings!

Holly

ps- anybody watch Daddy DayCare? reminds me of the school Angelica Houston runs in the movie. It's about prestige (the pressure) and not what's best for the kids, imho.



As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

Edited by - ArmyWifey on Mar 13 2007 9:26:57 PM
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl

1083 Posts

Brenda
Orchard Prairie WA
USA
1083 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  11:20:52 PM  Show Profile
I truly think kids need to be allowed to be kids. Competition amongst parents has gotten out of control . . . sometimes I think the children are just one more thing to show how great they are, right there amongst the nice car and fancy house. Ulcers in children and other stress-induced illnesses are at an all time high. I believe this is because they have so many expectations to live up to . . . learning latin, dance, sports, etc. Our kids do school sports and are in 4-H. These are all choices they have made. We have made it clear that they can choose whether or not to do an activity . . . we won't pressure them, but once they commit, they have to see it through to the end, as we do not want them to think quitting everything is an option. Our oldest did football, basketball and is gearing up for baseball . . . all his choice. Our middle guy choose football and baseball, but skipped basketball. Our youngest will be old enough for sports next year, but has so far made it clear he doesn't want to do sports . . . that is fine. They all choose 4-H. I have friends who are completely consumed with making their kids #1 in everything, yet the basics of being responsible, good manners, etc. is not being taught. Teaching my children to work hard and be responsible is way more important to me than soccer, piano and latin. I love that they still delight in tossing the ball with good ol' Dad and are realizing keeping up with the Jones's isn't that rewarding.

Brenda

Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country.
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl

1646 Posts

Diane
Victoria BC
Canada
1646 Posts

Posted - Mar 13 2007 :  11:23:23 PM  Show Profile
I agree with Julie here. Heather wasn't asking for an opinion of whether or not to put her little one into preschool or not, so one shouldn't be given IMHO. What she was asking for was our input on learning activities and associated pressures appropriate for his age. Frankly, I think she's probably a very good mommy and independent thinker to question it. I applaud her.

Di
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Juliekay
True Blue Farmgirl

237 Posts



237 Posts

Posted - Mar 14 2007 :  06:27:51 AM  Show Profile
Um Holly, I wasn't saying that you can't give an opinion. I was saying that the subject was whether or not an academically aggressive daycare was too much pressure on kids, not whether or not she should be putting them in at all. Two different subjects. She was not asking "Should I put my child in daycare?" in which it would be appropriate to say I think kids are too young at 1 for daycare. But she wasn't asking that and I think that by simply stating that you wouldn't do that when she wasn't asking for that opinion is, in itself, a sort of condemnation by default.

That's what I was "upset" about. Just giving my honest opinion.
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl

4687 Posts

Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts

Posted - Mar 14 2007 :  07:36:09 AM  Show Profile  Send catscharm74 a Yahoo! Message
OK OK!!! Let's all just hug and be happy!!! : )

I respect everyone's opinion and we can agree to disagree on certain things. I will say I have to go to work for financial reasons and feel this is the best school for us. I know I am a great Mom, with the usual flaws like everyone else. The whole mom working/ sahm thing is a can of worms I don't want to open. But I do understand what everyone has stated here.

Cheers,
Heather
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl

712 Posts

Holly
Abilene KS
712 Posts

Posted - Mar 14 2007 :  08:44:38 AM  Show Profile
Thanks Heather. Just so you know I wasn't questioning you as a Mom or your reasons for working.... as I said I understand why some women feel they have to (it's not like I have considered it from our budget standpoint) I just disagree and to me it's part and parcel of the whole pressure question.

Have a good day!

Holly



As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl

222 Posts

Mandi
Myrtle Beach South Carolina
222 Posts

Posted - Mar 14 2007 :  4:42:53 PM  Show Profile
Just wanted to go back to the original comment about children under pressure... I am a SAHM of three, but it wasn't always that way. I worked full time through my first and second. My little boy went to preschool for 2 years and 4k my first girl went to preschool for 1. I wish I could still send her even though I work with her and her sister as much as possible. Public Kindergarten is killer. I would never have made it if I was growing up today. They are expected to read on a second grade level by the end, they learn mathmatics, computer, science etc. etc. and on and on. I'm stressed out and I'm 34. My only worry in kindergarten was whether I was going to get to wear the apron and be the mommy that day. They don't even " Play " anything in kindergarten anymore. I'm worried I'm not up to the challenge of preparing my girls and they will be even more stressed than their brother. My point being yes they put kids under to much pressure I wish we could all afford to send them to Waldorf schools or Montessori or homeschool or send them wherever so that they would be nutured and allowed to develope on their own time table. So in regard to your question yes they are under pressure and i think it is great that you little one is learning just love him/her lots and as I tell my son " take deep breaths, you are wonderful! "
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl

2044 Posts



2044 Posts

Posted - Mar 14 2007 :  7:42:10 PM  Show Profile
Ok here's another country heard from... I was a stay at home Mom for Z but sent him to am preschool when he was 3 for socialization and experience in a school setting. As an only child at the time he needed to be around other children. I choose a school that had some academic structure but imagination was the word of everyday. They nutured the creativeness in each child and that opens the door for a lifelong love of learning. Did they have computers? Yes. Did they sing songs and dance around to the alphabet and colors? You bet! Did he come home telling me the square root of anything? Ofcourse not! We spent lots of time on our own reading, drawing, and nurturing a child who loves to learn. If the environment stresses your child , it's not the place for them. What other people do with their children may not be what is best for your children or family. I know it's hard to leave your heart at the door everyday, but if you need to do it, find a place that would treat your children like you would.
I love Waldorf and wish we had done it for atleast a few years but we have a friend whose daughter made the transition to private prep type school from Waldorf this past year and she is struggling with
meeting deadlines, following rubrics and being organized. We have heard that this is common for alot of "long term" (k-8)Waldorf educated children. So every option also has some disadvantages.
Don't loose heart Heather, this might all work out just fine. You can also continue to check into other programs to see if you find a better fit. At 1 year old I think you will have alot of flexibility and an opportunity to see if this is the place you want your child .
BIG hugs to you , I remember how it felt not knowing if you were doing the right thing for the most precious people in your life. Listen to your heart.

with a happy heart
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl

1681 Posts

michele
farmingdale n.j.
USA
1681 Posts

Posted - Mar 15 2007 :  05:23:30 AM  Show Profile
Im chimming in!! I think we put way too much pressure on our kids especially at a young age. I have a sister who MUST have her kids in an activity every minute of everyday. Whatever happened to "PLAYTIME"? Just "BEING" once in awhile. Just playing to run around to have fun and blow off steam. Kids need to have time to use their imaginations for themselves and to just be kids!! Just my opinion. I know how easy it is to be swayed into thinking everyone else is right because they all have theiir young kids in everything & you don't. I felt that when my daughter was young & ALMOST caved in to someone elses thinking. I didn't & it was right for my child. You know your kids better then anyonme else. Do what you think is best for them, not what others think you should do.

she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl

4687 Posts

Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts

Posted - Mar 15 2007 :  07:55:08 AM  Show Profile  Send catscharm74 a Yahoo! Message
I still keep in my mind the pressure you have all mentioned but in some strange way, I know my son will be fine. It just amazes at how parents keep pushing their kids to learn ALL the time. We had a neighbor who had a young son in Pre-K and he would come home and want to just run around and she couldn't understand it. She was trying to get him to sit and be calm. She actually thought he was undisciplined and stuck him in a school all summer long to hopefully "teach" him. My hope for my son is that he doesn't bite or kick, learns a few games to play, makes some friends and has a fun day. My DH and I have in the back of our minds that if the "school" eventually feels he is behind for some stupid reason, we would homeschool or pay the money for a Waldorf or Montessori school. I do have to say, I was a very creative, active kid and that really helped me out in the long run.

Another area of pressure I see in this area is playing sports and I mean PLAYING sports at such young ages, not for enjoyment, but for competition. We had one kid tell us that he is an awesome football player and was going to make lots of money when he grows up. He is 5. I know his Dad puts alot of pressure on him to make it. Ok,,,enough ranting....thanks for all the input...
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl

712 Posts

Holly
Abilene KS
712 Posts

Posted - Mar 15 2007 :  08:00:07 AM  Show Profile
I know this will probably get me yelled at again but I really think some of this pressure comes from:

1. Not seeing chidren as treasures/blessings to nurture. As PEOPLE not just little blank slates running around. Anyone who has more than one child can tell you they have all been different from BIRTH.

2. Not being settled in the fact that I'm the parent God gave that child and therefore the best for Him (I'm not talking about people with mental issues and abuse here --- in some cases that is furthered by the fact we no longer are willing to help each other & teach younger Mom's in our society as a whole) and being confident that its' ok if he's not potty trained by a year old, etc,etc,etc. Relaxing & 1.

3. Selfishness on the adults part in the form of a) I love my kids but I really don't want to be bothered by them so I'll ship them of elsewhere weather it's daycare or sports or whatever for someone else to deal with. Heaven forbid that they actually have time to think for themselves! OR b) we must look good at all costs.... a little deprevation is a horrible thing & we must give them the best at all times even at the cost of their charecter.

I don't think many of these things are even spoken or concious but it's what I see.

Holly



As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

Edited by - ArmyWifey on Mar 15 2007 08:03:13 AM
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl

4687 Posts

Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts

Posted - Mar 15 2007 :  08:21:45 AM  Show Profile  Send catscharm74 a Yahoo! Message
Image is everything these days and I think some parents are like to drivers who don't know how to merge, so they race you down the side of road JUST to be one car ahead of you and make some sort of silly point. It makes them feel better!!! I know alot of parents who live vicariously through their kids, making up for what they didn't do as kids.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl

22944 Posts



22944 Posts

Posted - Mar 15 2007 :  08:36:20 AM  Show Profile
I think a lot of kids have too much pressure on them these days. It is highly disturbing to me to see little 4 year olds running around with play (or real) cell phones mimicking their parents conversations "I'm so stressed I don't have time..." I forget where I saw this but I remember it was some sort of documentary.

My parents let us have lots of free play and made sure we had great nannies/babysitters when that was the only option. I did go to preschool, but my preschool was awesome. We had some guided play where we would sing songs, learn our ABC's, be read to etc. We also had free play where we got to explore and do whatever, we also had outside time, and did fun things like put on plays and things.

The only thing that I wish my parents had done was make a little more effort to get me into things like 4-H or Girls Scouts where I would have met more kids my age before Kindergarten and 1st grade. By that time lots of the "city" kids knew each other. The other day one of my sisters and I were talking about this and we all four felt like outsiders from kindergarten to somewhere in high school because of these early associations. I also was the only one to go to preschool and had a few friends from preschool, but unfortunately the moved in early elementary. :(

So I guess what I am thinking is the pressure to achieve and be a baby genius is insane and way to much, but socialization is important too. I think parents need to see their kids as kids, not as a mark of their own worth as a person. I loved my childhood and am hoping to give my daughter some of the same types of magical/wondrous memories that being allowed to explore your own imagination can give.

Alee
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl

486 Posts

Kim
Rutherfordton NC
USA
486 Posts

Posted - Mar 15 2007 :  1:15:44 PM  Show Profile
I have two daughters. My oldest (7 years old) is a natural learner, so I turned everything we did into a learning experience- the grocery store, reading the street signs, naming colors we saw while we were driving- whatever I could use, including just talking, became a learning tool. When she showed an interest in something, we would try to learn more about it (dinosaurs, the animals on "Stanley," whatever). She stayed home with me until she was four, when she entered the county school system preschool. She went in reading on a first grade level.

My second (2) learns as much, but differently. She isn't all about the learning- she is more about experiencing the lesson.

Both childhoods are good and beneficial, I think, but I haven't tried to push anything on either one.

Ages 1-3 isn't "preschool," it's daycare. I don't care what they call it. If your child enjoys himself there, and you see some learning happening, you can foster that. But if it seems too pressurized, then I'd think hard about that particular place.

In the end, I don't think one way of learning is better than the other (or one school is better or one college is better), it's only about the route one takes and that one learns what's necessary.

Good luck!
Kim in NC
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