EARLY EDUCATION

Students feel frustrated and embarrassed when they’re not ready to learn what they’re being taught. They experience a low sense of control if they struggle to keep up.

The school system has changed so much over the years, but sadly, our students have not. Some are fundamentally advanced than their peers were.

Fundamentals indicate a students’readiness and they need to be able to hold information in their head to really understand their lessons.

Back then, children laid the groundwork for key skills. Now, they are required to read, write and speak.

As students get older, brain development makes it easier to learn virtually everything – making work easier. But studies show that 85 percent of kids need extra help, parents spend extra money, and parents and kids feel stressed.

We see this from kindergarten all the way through high school. Now, Grade 8 students take science classes that used to be taught to Grade 9, and kids in 10th grade read literature that used to be taught in college.

In the attempt to advance our kids, our own thinking about these issues has regressed. It seems to be a mistake to spend a student’s time for them to learn things that they will naturally learn. It’s better for them to develop skills and acquire knowledge at school.

So, is earlier the better?

The author is Head Teacher

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I at Porac National High School