My sister could speak entire sentences at 18 months, you could have a complete conversation with her. I love my sister but honestly, she’s not smart at all. She can’t even spell the word sugar let alone any word. I’m constantly having to explain things to her that I can’t believe she doesn’t know.

I read somewhere that force teaching is bad so I never did it with my two kids. Ever. I wanted them to see learning (in a classroom) was fun and new. I teach them basic life skills like folding laundry, putting away dishes, dressing themselves, stuff like that. I never sat down with them and did flashcards and tried to get them to read or force numbers down their throat. They are natural learners and do it in their own time. My 3 year old counted to 20 recently and my husband and I laughed because no one taught her, she just must have picked it up somewhere.

“Whether considering a child’s early artwork or any other skill, activity, or behavior, a common mistake when applying praise is an error of focus: praise the child instead of the act.”

Not sure where the quote is from but I think it is great advice. I think this goes along with what miaow posted, which I also agree with, what a classy mother with the little biking boy.

I thought: Thats one classy mother. If something is amazing people will notice anyway so why bother boasting? Any way, its not like Louis will necessarily win the tour de France because he can ride a bike better than my son. More importantly his mother has communicated to Louis that his VALUE does not lie in how impressive his abilities are. And the really really great thing about Louis is that you see this every day in how he already treats others. He is now 5 and he is universally kind and thoughtful (whilke still being a boisterous little boy). And its because his mother did a great job. Thats why I hate boasting/bragging about kids…its disrespectful to your child! People don’t realise that you can harm your child by the positive things you say as much as the negative things you say. Praise their hard work, their listening, their determination, but not the end product. And lots of research backs up my views…off my soapbox…sorry I wrote so much!

most people are not interviewed about their kids. what she shrugged and said, my kid’s average. then people would think that was weird.

The whole rush of today on teaching little ones their abc’s, mathematics, even potty training earlier than in the past is not a good idea. Focus in these very early years is best on non structured & non scheduled learning, enhancing and encouraging creativity, social skills, learning things like empathy, cooperation with others, conflict resolution skills, playtime, etc. And on their own readiness not b/c their parents want to keep up with the Jones’.

When I hear a parent proclaiming their pride over certain rote skills their child has grasped early on, I am not what you would call impressed or even competitive about. My little brother was very advanced early on and dux of his school but as a man, he lacks motivation and diligence to be successful in work and academia….what I am trying to say is that there isn’t a correlation between early learners and greater future success.

Some theorists suggest that teaching rote learning too early on will be counter productive in the long run actually.

In Finland, kids don’t start school until 7 (for some good reasons). After kinder , our son will be within the educational system for possibly his whole life (if he follows in Dad’s footsteps). As it is now, our 4 year old hasn’t been to preschool–completely natural and normal but in todays society it stands out as different.

Ease up on the hyper-rote learning for children of today. It is ridiculous and counter productive in many ways.