Pressure of education on young children: Crime Patrol

At every level beginning with playschool and nursery we have competition among children and we expect 3 year old to solve and do things like 5 year old. This episode of Crime patrol raises a lot of questions in my mind:Icse/cbse/ ssc vs. IBExploratory studies vs. MuggingLearn vs. StudyCoaching classes vs. home studyHow much is enoughIn the beginning when I hear the moms speak about which child is doing what I must confess that it happens even at the playschool level where kids at 18 months are doing atleast 3 classes a week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85m-tEyfLg&feature=sh_e_se&list=SL I don’t watch this show too often as its too hard hitting for me and can’t have the daughter watching it while I am watching it. I did manage to see this episode on this Friday the 9th and you know what, I wasn’t surprised to see the results of the never ending or should I say great expectations of parents from their children. We have now reached a stage where nothing is enough. Our expectations of life have just taken a different leap. At every level beginning with playschool and nursery we have competition among children and we expect 3 year old to solve and do things like 5 year old. We have school admissions which are made to be so grueling that kids are coached to perform. Then all through schools our kids need to be within the first top 10 in the class and in the Xth std even a 95 percent is not enough. Really I am not sure by the time my 3 year old comes to that level will even a 100 percent be ok or will they start a grading system beyond that. I am a parent too and a very small dot in this large universe of the Indian education system trying to understand what is that I want my child to learn and know? How much will be enough for me when my daughter grapples with the Indian education system? Will I be in a position to buffer all the pressure and stand by what she can and wants to do vs. what she has to do? I don’t know the answers but I want her to be and live her childhood which was all about learning, exploring and a fun environment. This episode of Crime patrol raises a lot of questions in my mind:

Icse/cbse/ ssc vs. IB
Exploratory studies vs. Mugging
Learn vs. Study
Coaching classes vs. home study
How much is enough

In the beginning when I hear the moms speak about which child is doing what I must confess that it happens even at the playschool level where kids at 18 months are doing atleast 3 classes a week. As moms we are all so keen on knowing whose doing what. I feel there will be a point where there will be a deflection and all this will stop. Maybe its wishful thinking but I still want to hope. Please do watch this episode and share how you feel this change will come about.