Education starts at home

Editor: Recently, I read in Steve Mann’s article about a local group of moms who are declaring “Kids are struggling! Distance learning is not working. Kids deserve a real education. Socialization over isolation. Our children, our choice.” Driving down Elm Street I noticed a sign strung up in the front yard of a home across the street from Reese Elementary School. The sign read “Open Up Schools Our Children Are Suffering.” I disagree with both statements. Children throughout this pandemic, are only suffering to the degree that those who care for them are unable to provide a stable, structured, and calm environment. Throughout history children have experienced much greater trauma, such as atrocities faced or witnessed during the Great Depression, World War II, or any natural disaster, which have far greater consequences on a developing human brain than having to stay home. Not physically attending school in person for the sake of health and safety of a community does not equate suffering. Throughout history as well, formalized education as we experience in the United States and the rest of the developed world, was nonexistent. Therefore, having the opportunity in which to attain an education is merely a privilege, either physically in person or virtually. For most of human history, schools and education were only for aristocracy and the wealthy. Education has only been compulsory for children in the United States since 1918. Before this it is was the responsibility of the family, and indeed even the child, to acquire an education. Schools and teachers have the responsibility to teach, but likewise, children have the responsibility to learn and families have the responsibility to support children’s learning. The schools and teachers are providing opportunities for children to learn. Families wield greater influence over their children especially in encouraging them to actively participate in their education, in the activity of learning, then schools. Parents, model or otherwise, are their child’s first teacher. Furthermore, if families are unsatisfied with the content of the free and public education provided currently, the opportunity to educate their children is truly their choice. They can and should take the opportunity to participate in their child’s education, putting their energy directly into educating and benefiting their child. KATHLEEN JAY Lodi