Do our chidlren fare better than the last generation?
For young parents or experienced parents alike, very often I saw them panics when they heard their cousins/neighbors/colleagues are sending their children for mental arithmetic, language enrichment, …, you name it.
They get even more panicky when they heard she can read "Peter and Jane" book 3a and Johnny can do multiplication liao.
I have seen too often unhappy children who lost their joy of learning and started to rebel when they were old enough to do so at 13-14 years old.
Do our children fare better? You may say the UPSR, PMR and SPM results are getting more excellent each year.
As an educator that familiar with the system, I knew that the biggest lies the results tell us is: "Our children are doing better academically". Ever heard of "curve fitting"? Or the university I worked at previously called it "adjusted score".
It's a statistical lie, the translation of the terms is: you decided how many children should pass, and how many children should get 'A's and then adjust the percentile accordingly, that means those who score 45% may get an A, and those who score 10% may pass !! Which is normally the case for subjects like add maths in SPM.
Where Do We Stand Now?
- Misleading Metrics: Traditional educational systems often rely on metrics like grades that can be artificially manipulated (e.g., curve fitting), which may not accurately reflect a child's actual understanding or abilities.
- Long-Term Impact on Children: The pressure to excel academically from a young age can lead to stress, loss of interest in learning, and potential rebellion during adolescence.
- Comparative Pressure: Parents often feel unnecessary stress when comparing their children’s academic achievements to those of their peers, which can lead to hurried educational decisions.
- Joy of Learning: Many children in high-pressure academic environments lose their innate curiosity and joy of learning, which are crucial for lifelong educational engagement.
Key Takeaways for Montessori Parents
They can provide insights into your child’s development and suggest ways to reinforce learning at home
- Focus on Individual Growth: Emphasize your child’s personal development and interests rather than just their ability to score well in exams. Montessori education values the development of the whole child.
- Create a Supportive Learning Environment: At home, provide a learning environment that mirrors the calm, structured, and child-centric atmosphere of a Montessori classroom. This encourages exploration and self-directed learning.
- Resist Peer Pressure: Do not rush into conventional academic programs based on societal pressure or comparisons with other children. Trust in the Montessori method, which builds solid foundational skills and promotes independent thinking.
- Value Process Over Outcome: Celebrate the process of learning rather than the outcome. Encourage your child to enjoy their educational journey, which is more sustainable and rewarding than merely achieving high scores.
- Educate Yourself About Montessori Principles: Gain a deeper understanding of the Montessori philosophy to better advocate for and support your child’s education. Understanding the "why" behind the methods can increase your confidence in them.
By shifting focus from conventional academic success to a more holistic, joy-driven approach, Montessori parenting helps preserve the innate curiosity and love for learning in children, setting them up for a lifelong positive relationship with education.
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