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Education today

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ChadTower:

--- Quote from: sphetr2 on January 30, 2007, 08:38:54 am ---I disagree. Granted, there are some things that must be taught by example. But there comes an time when you respect and value what your parents say, and heed their advice, without 'example'. I believe I have reached this stage in my life.  :angel:

--- End quote ---

I was speaking more about elementary age kids, but teenagers nearly as much.  Not to minimize your experience but 99% of teenagers don't know enough yet to know how much they don't know.  You won't understand that until later on looking back.  There's a reason people don't put much faith in the ability to reasonably communicate with teenagers... they think they know so much more than they actually do at that point in their lives and generally aren't willing to accept that they are mistaken.

RTSDaddy2:
Xam, I think you hit it right on the head...self-achievement brings esteem.

But there is our problem today, especially in some public schools.  We don't push the kids to self-achievement.  Why would you want to struggle, fail, pick yourself up again if some teacher is going to be forced to pass you through to the next grade anyway, because your parents believe to hold you back is hurting your "self-esteem?"

It's hard as heck to watch a  kid fail at something.  I watch my 4 year old attempt things every day that she cannot do yet...but because Mom and Dad (yep, a small pat on the back here) do not always run to her aid and say "Let us help you," she eventually learns how to do the task at hand.  If we took this approach with teaching more often with kids, instead of wanting to ALWAYS give them a safe place to land, perhaps their true self-esteem would be higher (that gained through achievement).

Oh, and before I get up on another box, why must we give awards nowadays to EVERY KID who competes on the atheletic team?  Care to make a guess?   ;D

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: RTSDaddy2 on January 31, 2007, 06:54:35 am ---Oh, and before I get up on another box, why must we give awards nowadays to EVERY KID who competes on the atheletic team?  Care to make a guess?   ;D

--- End quote ---

I've never seen a team that does this.  Almost all of them do away with awards rather than give one to everybody, unless you're talking about a "participation trophy", which is just a keepsake and not an award.

RTSDaddy2:
Wish I was joking about that...but no, it's not just a participation award.

Xam:

--- Quote from: RTSDaddy2 on January 31, 2007, 05:50:30 pm ---Wish I was joking about that...but no, it's not just a participation award.

--- End quote ---

I know what you mean..."best 3rd string waterboy" is not a participation award.
I gave trophies to all my kids once (the league provides participation awards in the form of a medal). The only reason I did was because my kids were the only ones no other team wanted. We ended up 5-2 and each kid worked his butt off to get there. They earned the trophies. I have yet to give any trophies since...the kids (mine included) are not putting forth the effort.

Our league was trying the "no score" thing...I told them I would be keeping score. Why play a competitive game if your goal is not to win? I know winning is not everything...there is no shame in losing if you played you best and the other team is just better...the no score thing gives kids nothing to strive for.

On self esteem...Our last game last season...I was not able to make the start of the game. I arrived about 5 mins til half time. We were getting drubbed like 27-13. At half time, I chastied the kids for not playing to their potential, encouraged them to at least make the other team know they had been in a game. They won the second half 15-6 and lost the game...but each kid had pride on their face as they knew they proved they could play. That is self esteem...even in losing.

Xam

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