Practically everything we do in school tends to make children answer-centered. In the first place, right answers pay off. Schools are a kind of temple of worship for “right answers”, and the way to get ahead is to lay plenty of them on the altar.
-John Holt, from How Children Fail
How does Holt explain then how the majority of people who are not failing but indeed “winning” were brought up in a traditional 20th century western culture school system? I guess the name of that would be “How Children Win” ?
Fact is there is positives and negatives in every method. For example I think my daughter and I are both right brained thinkers. One of the key ways right brained thinkers learn is visually. However I have a 5 year old (who is unfortunetely been stolen from me by her narcissistic mother) and she is for all intents and purposes blind. Clearly she could not learn visually regardless of which side brain she utilizes. So while one method would be good for my oldest it would not work on my youngest.
Same goes with whatever this Holt guy is talking about. Unschooling is a tremendous way to educate and teach your children for you. But there are many other children and families who would “fail” quite miserably if they tried unschooling. That doesn’t make you better than them, just different.
To say “why children fail” and give me Reasons like its because of the test taking philosophy that governs all schools, I think it’s silly.
Children fail regardless of method if their parents fail them. Involved loving parent(s) and the child will succeed, regardless of if they are answer centered or not.
As always, you make an excellent point, Cornelius. Unschooling is not the best option for everybody. Children do indeed fail regardless of method if their parents fail them. Involved, loving parents are certainly a child’s best chance for success and happiness.
John Holt was a teacher in some of the country’s top schools, so he was in a good position to observe the pros and cons of the school system in action. He gave much thought to the “why” behind what he observed, and the quote addresses that. Ultimately, he saw enough of the cons to become convinced that there had to be a better way. That is not to say that there is just one better way. There are surely many.
I encourage (maybe even challenge?) you to read Holt’s book. I’d be eager to hear what a critical thinker like yourself has to say about his overall conclusions.
Until next time 🙂
I like the idea of homeschooling across the board – simply because a parent who fails a child now can’t blame the school and school can’t blame the parents, either.
Okay, yes, bonus for the child if parents are willing to step up but at least the buck stops there if they’re not.