School Daze

by ST, late 1980s

     With the beginning of a new school year, it's a good time to think about what we want for our children in Life.  In general terms, we want them to be happy and successful.  Most of us don't think that means they have to be brain surgeons or rocket scientists (unless that's what they want to be).  But we do want them to be able to support themselves and their families decently, and work at something they like and are good at.
     So how do we prepare them for what lies ahead?  It's hard to predict what the world will be like in 20 or 40 years.  But what we do know is that they'll be faced with plenty of challenges, and problems to solve.
     For most people, success in life begins with success in school.  Einsteins and Bill Gateses are few and far between.  More than ever a High School education followed by some form of training or college is essential to get a job that will support a family.  Self-employment requires just as many or more skills.  Ranchers need to be just as good as (or better than) college-educated bureaucrats at communicating effectively, persuasion, finding/presenting/evaluating facts and situations, reading legal-ese and other lingo, and recognizing propaganda or fraud.  If school is too easy, it doesn't prepare our students for real Life.  I don't know anyone who would say that Life got easier after High School.  Life is less and less certain, and women, as well as men need the skills to survive (and succeed) in this world.  Motherhood is not less demanding than any other career, and career training enhances motherhood and offers options when Life doesn't go as expected.  The more we know about succeeding in Life, the better parents we can be.
     While some worry that what's taught in school might not apply to "Real Life", the habits and attitudes needed to succeed in school are the very ones needed to succeed in Life:  courage to face challenges and learn (even from failure), willingness to work hard, problem-solving skills, organization, dependability, persistence, creativity, getting along with  others (authority figures and co-workers), the ability to communicate effectively and calculate accurately.  Habits of failure in school easily become habits of failure and low self-esteem in Life.  Additionally, some information is expected to be universally known--basic geography, history, and how Nature and its parts work.  How embarrassing to be the only one who doesn't know such things as the monetary unit of Hawaii, who penned the words of the Gettysburg Address (and the ideas it includes), or the life cycle of a chicken, frog, or butterfly.  Competence/knowledge breeds self-confidence, breeds success, makes one feel good about oneself!
     It's important that a child learn the concepts and facts for each grade as he goes along.  Each year is a foundation for success in the years that follow.  Math, for instance, is so hard if you don't know your math facts.  It's much easier if you know the facts and the rules--math is like a game:  learn the rules (recipes) & strategies, and you can win!
     Most careers require a variety of skills.  Most students change their minds several times about what they want to be in life.  Doing the best you can in every class, getting help when you need it, making wise lifestyle choices, all keep your options open.  Students, don't slam the doors on yourselves!
     How do you know what your child is supposed to be learning?  Check his or her schoolwork every day through the 6th grade, stay in tune and interested thereafter.  Skim through the textbooks.  Come to parent-teacher conferences with questions, curiosity, and a supportive attitude.  If your child is supposed to be learning math facts, formulas, vocabulary, or whatever, flash cards are easy to make and use.  The internet is replete with videos on every subject.  The library or bookstore can offer reinforcing materials.  Many teachers give out study guides you can quiz your child from.  Any teacher will be happy to give suggestions.
     Our attitudes about school become our children's attitudes.  Help our children succeed, and they'll be happy with themselves, and Life will be better for them.  Help them see that success in school will help them get what they want in Life!  And, Have a great year.