Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 9/27/83; site hplabsb.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabsb!pc From: pc@hplabsb.UUCP Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Better [?] Babies Message-ID: <2911@hplabsb.UUCP> Date: Wed, 1-May-85 18:19:01 EDT Article-I.D.: hplabsb.2911 Posted: Wed May 1 18:19:01 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 7-May-85 08:36:08 EDT Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA Lines: 31 As a parent looking at preschools, I am amazed and disheartened at the prevalence of highly structured, academically oriented programs for little ones! We ship our kids off to their formal education for 12 to years, where they are drilled and filled with packaged skills and formulas for success. They are a success in this environment if they can regurgitate accurately and skillfully. When they finally emerge (if they emerge), the lucky ones have mastered those skills. It's not that one observes neurotic or depressed children in the academic environment; kids will learn any way its shoved at them. But they are being denied the few years where they could be exploring their own unique creative styles. During years critical to language development, they are more focused on academic activities than social interaction. In such structure, can they develop the rich experience of learning cooperation, negotiation, sympathy, communication? Will they be free to discover how they learn best? The only environment for a child to discover and explore these essential interpersonal skills is with others of the same or similar age, facilitated by a sensitive careprovider. And while I'm on a roll, is there a way to get through to preschool (heck! any school) teachers that imposed discipline negates self discipline? Patricia Collins HP Labs/Palo Alto CA -- {ucbvax|duke|hao|allegra}!hplabs!pc