mcgrathinnola's Profile

This issue has been a bone of contention with me for years. I am a longtime educator and parent and what this issue presents is nothing but guilt and pressure on current parents to push their children to be the "brightest and best" of their group. Why parents are thinking that being the "oldest" will give their child a headstart in the process of life is beyond me. Children are all different, they develop differently. Some will progress faster than others, but in the mix at some point in school, usually around 3rd grade, the majority of children fall within the middle of the bell curve, whether they are the oldest or youngest. Keep in mind also that SOMEONE will always be the youngest of the class, job, life. The push to expect young children/ pre-schoolers, to be the brightest, biggest or have the best advantage is putting pressure not only on the child's performance but on the parents performance. Every child is not going to be the "brightest" or gifted student and in my eyes that is wonderful. Stop trying to think pushing/or holding back your children will be the answer to giving them the heads up on life. Enjoy your children for who they are and what they are capable of doing at each point in their early years, stop fretting over their future academic acheivements . Please stop stressing over their academic performance...stress will certainly be transferable to the children.