3 ms·

Of course if you select a kid’s profession at 3 or 4 they’ll be good at it. But doesn’t that stifle them? What if they should’ve been something else?

tejohnso 6y ago
Here's a relevant quote: “How much should parents intervene in the future of their children? Should they influence the choice of profession, partner or politics?” Let us begin with the choice of profession. I will speak only about parents who seriously endeavor to smooth the way for their children. Among them there are two types. Some say that a child should be many-faceted, “taste” everything, and in adulthood or close to it they should decide for themselves what they will do. I can also understand this standpoint. However, if the parents wish the children to achieve genius results, then – in my opinion – the parents’ decision should not be put off, and one should decide the direction of their specialization even in infancy. However, his sample curriculum looks like this: – 4 hours of specialist study (for us, chess) – 1 hour of a foreign language. Esperanto in the first year, English in the second, and another chosen at will in the third. At the stage of beginning, that is, intensive language instruction, it is necessary to increase the study hours to 3 – in place of the specialist study – for 3 months. In summer, study trips to other countries. – 1 hour of general study (native language, natural science and social studies) – 1 hour of computing – 1 hour of moral, psychological, and pedagogical studies (humor lessons as well, with 20 minutes every hour for joke telling) – 1 hour of gymnastics, freely chosen, which can be accomplished individually outside school. The division of study hours can of course be treated elastically. So it's not like he is advocating 100% focus on the specialty to the exclusion of all other subjects. The educator and child together should be able to switch the specialty based on early signs of preference and capability.
- mdparker89 6y ago
  The specialty actually provides context for the other subjects. You don't learn to write for the sake of writing, you write about chess. You get to practice the foreign language at tournaments with people from other countries, etc.
jaggirs 6y ago
You say that as if there is a divine purpose for each of us. By the same logic, what if their profession should have been selected by their parents? This line of thinking is inpractical.
mdparker89 6y ago
I highly recommend reading the book. It's probably not what you expect. He makes a compelling case that we should consider the opposite of your question: does letting kids wander aimlessly stifle them? He also advocates for educational pluralism. You should be free to explore your question with your children.

tejohnso 6y ago

Here's a relevant quote: “How much should parents intervene in the future of their children? Should they influence the choice of profession, partner or politics?” Let us begin with the choice of profession. I will speak only about parents who seriously endeavor to smooth the way for their children. Among them there are two types. Some say that a child should be many-faceted, “taste” everything, and in adulthood or close to it they should decide for themselves what they will do. I can also understand this standpoint. However, if the parents wish the children to achieve genius results, then – in my opinion – the parents’ decision should not be put off, and one should decide the direction of their specialization even in infancy. However, his sample curriculum looks like this: – 4 hours of specialist study (for us, chess) – 1 hour of a foreign language. Esperanto in the first year, English in the second, and another chosen at will in the third. At the stage of beginning, that is, intensive language instruction, it is necessary to increase the study hours to 3 – in place of the specialist study – for 3 months. In summer, study trips to other countries. – 1 hour of general study (native language, natural science and social studies) – 1 hour of computing – 1 hour of moral, psychological, and pedagogical studies (humor lessons as well, with 20 minutes every hour for joke telling) – 1 hour of gymnastics, freely chosen, which can be accomplished individually outside school. The division of study hours can of course be treated elastically. So it's not like he is advocating 100% focus on the specialty to the exclusion of all other subjects. The educator and child together should be able to switch the specialty based on early signs of preference and capability.

mdparker89 6y ago
The specialty actually provides context for the other subjects. You don't learn to write for the sake of writing, you write about chess. You get to practice the foreign language at tournaments with people from other countries, etc.

jaggirs 6y ago

You say that as if there is a divine purpose for each of us. By the same logic, what if their profession should have been selected by their parents? This line of thinking is inpractical.

mdparker89 6y ago

I highly recommend reading the book. It's probably not what you expect. He makes a compelling case that we should consider the opposite of your question: does letting kids wander aimlessly stifle them? He also advocates for educational pluralism. You should be free to explore your question with your children.