Sunday 26 July 2015

Are we encouraging our children to grow up too quickly?

I'm back after a blogging break, and I'm grumpy!  I've witnessed a number of things over the past few months that have caused me to question whether society is encouraging our children to grow up too quickly, and I think the answer is probably, yes...

Last week, a friend's child attended her nursery graduation.  I wasn't even aware that nursery graduations were "a thing".  It turns out they had quite a lot of media coverage last week, with opinions split between those who think they're cute and harmless fun, and those who think they're weird or even pyschologically damaging.  They're an American import and I think it should be borne in mind that American preschool leavers are around two years older than British preschool leavers and therefore a little bit more mature. 

Some pyschologists believe that the ceremonies place unnecessary pressure on children to achieve.  I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I do believe they're encouraging small children to behave in ways they don't understand because adults think it's cute.  There seems to be a universal belief that all children enjoy dressing up.  Munchkin would probably refuse to wear graduation robes because they are not a pink fairy outfit.  I'm also doubtful that she would want to walk up and collect a certificate in a crowded room.



Primary school graduation also seems to be "a thing".  I got really confused when a friend's child attended her graduation ceremony at a local university.  I thought she had an eleven year old genius!  At least children this age know what is going on, and why they're doing it.  The real winners in all of this are photographers and providers of robes and mortar boards.  They must be making a fortune!

The age at which British children start school is another thing that's bugging me.  Munchkin is really looking forward to starting "big school" next year.  The same cannot be said for her best friend, Scoobie.  As an August baby, Scoobie just slips in to the school year above Munchkin.  She starts school in September and she's really scared.  Although compulsory education begins at age 5, we start schooling our children at 4, and I'm not entirely sure why when many countries start compulsory education at age 6.  Teachers in private schools have told me that these other countries have, "got it right".  Private schools tend to do the best they can, giving children with summer birthdays the opportunity to start Reception class in January instead of September, but this opportunity is less common in state schools.  In state schools, there are generally two choices: Start school in the September after you're 4, even if you're not ready, or miss the first (Reception) year at school and spend the following year (Year 1) playing catch up.

I guess what I'm saying is, America can keep their graduation ceremonies.  The only one I've ever attended was my university one, and even then I felt a bit of a numpty in my gown and mortar board.  However, we could probably learn something from the US when it comes to starting school.


Photo credit: quinnums / Foter / CC BY-NC