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Too many times I see in my office children identified by the school system as being problematic. Whether it be that they are labelled with a disorder (e.g., ADHD, ODD, ADD), accused of fidgeting too much, not fitting in, not paying attention, not having good boundaries, etc… there always seems to be a problem with the child.
Parents show up at my office dismayed, discouraged that their wonderful child does so poorly in school yet at home there are no issues. Parents are worried, don’t know what they are doing wrong, yet in their gut they know nothing is really wrong with their child.
Funny thing is… no one ever seems to question the establishment. Maybe the problem is with the system in which the children are taught. They are expected to be all the same, when , if you look carefully in your own backyard, if you have more than one child… they are all different.
School’s focus is mainly on academics, performance, testing, ranking, and the arts and physical education have been placed. at best, as secondary in importance. Therefore assuming that all children are left brain dominant and non creative… What about the children whose strengths are in the arts (dancing, art, music) or in sports? What about the non typical left brain intellectuals, the right brain children? Where do they stand in our school system?
In this awesome TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson, he so eloquently explains how the school systems around the world are no longer focused on fostering learning but rather teaching… no matter how good the teacher is at teaching, if no one is learning, what’s the point? He explains where the school systems fail our children. It will shed light on your questions and your worries. Well worth listening too.
Listen to this inspiring talk on the state of education and maybe, it will give you a glimpse into the world of possibilities for your child. Maybe, also, it will appease your worries that there is something wrong with your child… maybe he or she is just fine. You just need to find a system that works. It is no wonder that homeschooled children and children educated in the Waldorf, Montessori and alternative schools, do better and flourish!
Enjoy, and leave comments and your thoughts:
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