Education

This week I watched a documentary on an American who was born in 1917. He was from a wealthy family with parents who had high expectations of him and he was also very bright. He had several health problems as a child and had an older brother who was excellent at school and sports. This child was considered lazy and had a few behavior problems while he was in school.  The documentary explained in great detail how this person was not a star student. When he was sick with scarlet fever or other illnesses he read and started teaching himself. I'm assuming the books he chose to read were far more interesting and expanded his thought processes more than anything he was offered in school.

Does anyone know who it is? Read my thoughts on how education and academics is absorbing a lot of our time, effort and energy and I will give you the answer at the end of my post.


OTs say play is a child's occupation (career/job) and we need to make sure children know how to play correctly to ensure a strong nervous system. A strong nervous system will promote learning, attention, retention and output of knowledge. Children need to get dirty, climb, explore and learn how to share with one another. All of these things increase motor skills, problem solving, social skills and ability to self regulate emotions when we fall down or don't get our way.

Currently, in our society we are putting a huge emphasis on identifying colors, numbers, shapes, reading and test taking (academics). We are putting children in school at younger and younger ages because both parents in the household have to work. I hear parents calling daycare centers "school".  What happened to being a child? When will it ever be appropriate to cry, thumb suck and have a favorite blanket if it's considered to be immature at 3 or even 7 years old? Pre-schools are trying their best of remembering to put an emphasis on "play" and child directed activities but requirements at each grade level are making this more difficult.

My perception is, we are making education a child's occupation.

Since children are attending school (some starting at 6 weeks old), education is a huge part of our lives. Society is sort of pushing individuals to be apart of an educational institution for 26-32 years. Even for families who avoid daycare we are beginning to believe children need to attend pre-school and college (4+ years) regardless of the money involved to make this happen. As parents and care takers how are we approaching education in a positive way? How do we assure that our children are healthy and proud of themselves even though deep down some of us know test taking, math, or sitting still is going to be incredibly difficult for the little people we are raising? How are these expectations effecting the well being of these children and their families?

In order for you and your family to approach education in a positive way what have been some of the decisions you have made for your children and family? Are the educational opportunities provided for your families promoting your child's strengths?

The answer is: JFK. John Kennedy.........as in the inspiring former president. Actually, I've have watched or read about several famous people not being strong in school.  And these stories have stuck with me.

Educating children is important however so is making our busy world a little less stressful and overwhelming. Why are we panicking and creating hours of paperwork and data collection to ensure a successful "school career"

for every individual? Sometimes there are remarkable characteristics in people that need to evolve in their own natural ways with their own timeline. Relax.....have fun.........learn those academics in your own happy place.