The link below is a brief article discussing research that finds American parents are very different than other parents around the world, even when compared to other modern/western parents. In particular the research looks at the primary focus of parents.
The findings did not surprise me from an educator standpoint. I often had to reassure parents that through play and social interactions children were building the foundation for math, science, reading, writing, etc. PLUS they were gaining a very different type of intelligence than what we typically think if as intelligence - Social-Emotional Intelligence. This type of intelligence, in my humble opinion, is severely needed and sadly lacking in our society currently. Who cares if you are a math whiz if you cannot function with others and/or manage your emotions?
I am VERY curious to hear your thoughts on this! Please post below.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/04/10/parental_ethnotheories_and_how_parents_in_america_differ_from_parents_everywhere.html
The findings did not surprise me from an educator standpoint. I often had to reassure parents that through play and social interactions children were building the foundation for math, science, reading, writing, etc. PLUS they were gaining a very different type of intelligence than what we typically think if as intelligence - Social-Emotional Intelligence. This type of intelligence, in my humble opinion, is severely needed and sadly lacking in our society currently. Who cares if you are a math whiz if you cannot function with others and/or manage your emotions?
I am VERY curious to hear your thoughts on this! Please post below.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/04/10/parental_ethnotheories_and_how_parents_in_america_differ_from_parents_everywhere.html
"And yet none of this stops us from wondering, years later, why our children insist on leaving their damn coats on the floor." This sums it all up! It was so nice to read that there are adults in the world ( the Italians ) who value socio - emotional development, and isn't it interesting how as a culture they are typically regarded as very social, loving, and confident ( whereas many Americans I know struggle with one if not all of these areas )....
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