I agree with your goals but not with your observations. Perhaps I'm biased by the fact that I have small children. I am regularly amazed by their ability to m

I agree with your goals but not with your observations. Perhaps I'm biased by the fact that I have small children. I am regularly amazed by their ability to memorize words, numbers, symbols, etc, combined with complete incompetence at abstract concepts. Grownups are different, of course, but it's still natural that most of what I know about learning comes from my own kids.