Late is better!

I have avoided reading "Better Late than Early" by Raymond and Dorothy Moore for a long time.  Basically I thought the book would make me feel guilty for teaching my kids so much so early.  While there is plenty of information regarding the undue strain early reading and fine motor tasks put on children, there is much more information on why early schooling is the real problem.

Unfortunately I was only able to read all of part I.  I will finish and comment on part two later.  There is only so much time a mother of 5 has for reading!

Essentially there was a ton of information on why 'homing' is best for a child up to 8 or even 10 years of age. I love the semi made up word 'homing'!

"...before I thought anyone could do this job"  quoted from a mother who received 'head start' parenting training.  There are several suggestions in the book, and a few stories of training parents rather than removing children from them and assuming responsibility for them.  An idea I can totally get behind.

While I am sure there are many different ways to be a good parent, I think a few basics and ideas could go a long way to help a parent feel confident enough to keep and train their own child.  I have heard tons of parents praising books that gave them the tips and tricks they needed to work with their kids over a particular hurdle.  How much more so would an underprivileged parent learn from a class or two?

So often today parents are indoctrinated to believe they are doing a good job if they get their kids to school, and better yet get them to get good grades while there.  Is that really all a parent needs to do?  I wish we could stop thinking of parenting as a way to fill the brain with information.  Raising a child is so much more than just instilling information and the ability to do homework or pass tests.

I am tempted to pick up a copy of this book for several mothers of young children contemplating pre-school,.  Only trouble is, the book is downright boring.  There are only so many different ways to present the basic facts.  Essentially there are lots of large studies with plenty of evidence that sending kids away from their family early is bad for their social development, tends to create undue eyestrain leading to more kids needing glasses.  And offers NO advantage academically.

I particularly loved the report of two  groups of 6 and 9 year olds.  One group lived in a poorer area that had no access to schooling until the study began, the other had traditional school options.  At the end of the test there was hardly any difference between either age.  Having three years more schooling then the 'disadvantaged' group didn't help the kids out at all.

The book is a bit 'mother biased'  rarely is there a comment regarding how a father could and should influence their children.   But aside from that, I am glad I read it.  I wont stop teaching my kids though.  I have trouble saying no to something as cute as 'pea tea me ha rea' (please teach my how to read, from Baby Girl, 'early is cute')  I wonder if some folk are also motivated by cuteness to push their kids ever harder and earlier in academics and sports or dance?  I am trying to be sure I am not pushing, just allowing.