Just back from our local High School after seeing the "Race to Nowhere." I encourage everyone to see this film. This will open your eyes to the stresses placed on our students and families which is in turn showing signs of the health and wellness of our society. The demands and measurement of achievements have propelled out of control leaving our children stressed out and ill. Endless hours of activities and homework leave little time for unstructured fun. We as parents need to put the fun back in life and stop racing to nowhere.
Let's restore creative learning and teaching, stressing the importance of learning with passion rather than meeting or exceeding standards.
What do you value and how do you share your values and your definition of success with those you love?
13 comments:
Thank you for recommending this film.
I've just gone to their site and watched the trailer and will be taking my partner when it comes to Australia.
As an educational consultant who works with school communities to support a balanced learner and as a Gifted Education specialist, the film's message looks to be really consistent with my own.
It is a wonderful thing if parents and educators can work together to support the 'whole' child at home and at school, not put learners on the factory production line of 'better, smarter, faster'.
x Felicity
Oh, wow, FINALLY someone is talking sense. I wish everyone would watch this instead of Waiting for Superman.
Felicity-
As an artist, we really need to value "creativity" and teachers who embrace teaching students to want to find passion in learning.
Hope you can see this in Australia soon!
pve
I will definitely have to check that film out. I am shocked that kids have a lot of homework in kindergarten. Kids need time to be kids. And as someone who has taught art to kids, I can't express enough how important it is. It saddens me when I hear that it is cut from school programs.
I find that I have to be so mindful to not get caught up in it. I was just discussing our high school choice the other day and in relation to one school a friend of mine said, "Well, it may be ok for smaller private colleges."
Deep breath.
Mrs. B: Makes you wish you could glare at her with LASER EYES.
pve - this is such a huge issue and a difficult one. It's tough to walk the fine line between your values and main stream commercialism and media. I'm thrilled that my daughter's new school is strong academically yet encourages students to find their own path and has a wonderful arts program as well. i will definitely be checking out this film.
Family fun night in our home lets us unplug and really enjoy the downtime together - otherwise, it's go, go, go all the time. Will definitely be seeing this film!
It's so easy to get caught up in this crazy race. The first few years my daughter was in school, I'm afraid I was guilty. She was involved in everything that came down the pike. We finally had to determine what was really important and cut back on most of it. That made for a much happier daughter, family and home. And by the way, she turned out just fine.
Susan
I will have to view this film. My husband and I are firm believers of "down time" in a child's life, in addition to their extra-curricular and school activities. Kids need to develop imaginations, play in the dirt, run around laughing and yelping at the top of their voices. Of course, we certainly believe in homework and organized sports, ballet, etc. But, there needs to be a balance in order for kids to fully develop all their minds, bodies and spirits.
sounds right up my alley! One of my favorite things is to see my kids lost in play for hours.
I'm constantly trying to find the right balance! A family bike ride is our latest!
I will definitely see this film. I have been for a long time an advocate for unstructured time in children's lives. Time to do nothing, guilt free. Time to be bored often is what sparks creativity.
I am all for play time, no strings attached.
When I hear the advertisements for your child can learn to read at age 2... the hair stands on my neck! Why? They have enough to learn at this age. Let them get potty trained...
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