Jim, I am not one for cramming a child's head with facts, really. I think they need to learn how to read really well, be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide up to ten, learn how to use a calculator for other math functions, and know how to do research on the computer.
I think if fairly young children have all of these skills, and their joy and curiosity have not been destroyed by very dull and repetitious teaching methods or fear and pressure, or the deadening caused by rote memorization of senseless dates and other minor details, then as they are exposed to other subjects they will learn very quickly what they need or want to know, and will KEEP that knowledge, which is what is really crucial. I think learning is exponential, rather than linear.
I also think exposing children to art, music, drama and reading for pleasure early is very important, not only because proper brain development hinges on these kinds of stimulation, but because many of the joys of life are in the arts.
What do children study for, except to enjoy their lives and navigate the larger world successfully? |
