Advice that needs to be used for all adults

When I Think of Child Development

Children make you want to start life over.--Muhammad Ali 1942

 

This quote is little but amazing.  Looking at life through the eyes of a child.  Wants you to go back and change some things in the past.

 

Measurements of education

My two little ones have grown so fast in the last few years that I have a hard time saying that I have an eight year old and a ten year old.  Both so ahead of most of their peers for example their size and their ability to socialize with their peers.  This week’s agenda has made me think more about my children and wondering if they are being measured/assessed in the right areas.  As a parent of school age children I have always imagined that my children would be measured in the following areas:

·         Socialization

·         Academically (Mathematics & Reading)

·         Cognitive Thinking

As an educator for the last fifteen years I have seen children not developed in areas of academics because of the environment, events that have taken place in the child’s life or just simply not interested in learning.  My children attend a magnet school where the curriculum is built on IB units.  These IB units are very important for this school and as well as their IB attitudes.  “Who we are, Where we are in place and time” are both examples of IB units that they taught within the curriculum.  Collaboration is encouraged as students make real-world connections using real-world skills and strategies.  We can give children all the education in the world, but to not have positive socialization among their peers will only damage their ability to communicate positively with others.  Academically, children should be assessed on their level of math and reading.  Both are needed to become a successful person in society.   Cognitive thinking plays in with the IB units.  Being able to deal with real life situations and have a successful ending with each situation. 

A country that does not necessarily follow the educational assessments that most countries follows is Japan. Japan is a country that has been in the top five rankings when it comes to mathematical achievements.   For example, most children attend special preparation schools (juku) besides regular classes.  Most schools insist of children writing entrance exams and this leads to competitiveness among their peers.  Japan is a highly education-minded society.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2150.html