Kenna Morton's Journal, 18 May 19

Parents use to teach their children these attributes too. 

Same in the Netherlands.  

I remember some of you telling me it shouldn't be the schools responsibility to teach kids about nutrition, but manners is okay? Seems that that should fall under the parents responsibility as well. 

Chris- there is something missing in our society— period. My brother’s grandchildren attend a nursery school outside of DC where things like compassion, empathy, kindness and respect are part of the curriculum. I also like that idea of not stressing testing as much in those early years. Education is so important and I think kids need an opportunity to learn to love the process. My great niece is just turning 4 and she can read, print and do simple math. Not because she has been pushed but because the teaching method is a natural extension of the children’s curiosity. More importantly they encourage critical thinking so that things learned in one arena of their life can be translated to their home environment as well and visa/Vera. Needless to say, there is heavy parental insolvent. Everything regarding the education of our children needs to be a collaboration amongst the “village” that is raising them and the society they are going to live in. 

Before the age or 7 kids live with a vivid imagination and it is crucial that they be allowed to develop that. Early drilling and testing kills that creativity. If they never develop it, it's hard to find it later in life. 

When I first read the comment about teaching nutrition in school I did think that it would be a very good idea but I also thought it would be so difficult since no one seems to agree on anything. Then again teaching them about micro nutrients could be so beneficial. Maybe there would be a way to teach them without upsetting parents.  

Yes. I feel sorry for kids today. So much pressure to excel and be “successful”— whatever that means. 

It would be so nice if the parents would start this manner training at home. So much on our teachers already! My parents did the training at home for real. Every home is different!  

Well said Kenna Morton 

Keyten77- Good for you! Kids need teachers who can bring learning in an engaging way. Teachers are regulated into tight boxes with unrealistic expectations and everyone ready to blame them while not offering them and freedom to get creative. I'm a retired teacher. 

And actually, to be fair, there is a huge difference in the teacher, student ration between public school and say the one my brothers grandkids go to.. also a HUGE cost difference. But what impresses me, is that in that school they use Almost no fancy toys or equipment or educational adjuncts. Everything is simple beyond belief. pVC pipe used to make things, paper, paint, recycled materials. I get a daily newsletter from the school with pictures of the kids and the activities they are doing with an explanation as to the purpose and goal of the activity in terms of such things as development of fine or gross motor control. They do yoga, meditate, play baseball, soccer, lifting, stretching, running. They sing, dance, have art classes, they study science and have microscopes to look at everyday things. They also are doing engineering, computers and astronomy, physics, geometry— all in the form of play activity and fun things to make and do. They also garden, “cook”, learn about health and nutrition. It is incredible what they do. I’m astounded everyday. It can be done. 

My great nephew is 2 and great niece is 4. They have both been at this school since they were born and will continue there till school age and then the parents want them to go to public school. In their area, the public schools are very progressive and it seems that the transition will be smooth. 

Keyten77– that is very impressive to have been able to make that much of a difference in those kids. Back in the day when my brother was in grade school he was placed in a special class for gifted kids. They were basically isolated from the other kids. At any rate, there was one little girl who was not getting the material quite as easily as the others, so all the kids pitched in and helped her get up to speed. 3-4 months later it was discovered that she should have been in a special remedial class, not the special gifted class. She had done so well with that bit of booster help that she went back to just regular classes and did ok. The “gifted” kids continued to help her when she needed it. It was a very good lesson for all that were involved. 

Thar’s me Chris— refuse to grow up.