I fear for the future

[Lord Evermore]

I'm all for rewarding kids for doing good. But this is really just too much (and it's been going on for years).

My sister sent me a picture of my 5-year-old nephew. Cutest damned thing. But the picture was of his graduation. From pre-school. With a gown and cap and a little diploma. Pre-school...which you can't NOT pass...which isn't even an official education level and isn't even required to have real teachers. He had to miss the ceremony because he was sick.

I don't have a problem with making kids feel good when they do something right, or accomplish something, but making a big deal out of the slightest thing just teaches them that they shouldn't try to do things unless they're going to be praised publicly and given huge rewards. What happened to plain old expectations of minimum performance? I didn't get a ceremony for getting from elementary school to middle school, or getting past middle school and into high school. A ceremony for getting out of highschool is okay, since that's the passage into adulthood and completion of all required schooling, but a 5 year old doesn't have any clue what graduation is about.

 

[Glitchny]

hmm... was he top of his class?

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Uhh, I had a graduation ceremony when I finished pre-school a looooong time ago. I don't even remember it. Come to think of it, we had a little presentation thing when I went from 6th grade to Jr. High. And we had a graduation ceremony where we got certificate things for achievements, sports, etc. in Jr. High. I don't see why you're making a big deal about it, let the kid be proud.

 

[Kev]

ever think that maybe giving these kids that sense of accomplishment at a young age will give them a slight inspiration to want to succeed in life?

maybe? just a little?

 

[her209]

Maybe we should strap little electronic devices to them. The electronic devices will shock them into success.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: maladroit
ever think that maybe giving these kids that sense of accomplishment at a young age will give them a slight inspiration to want to succeed in life?

maybe? just a little?

They accomplished something that they cannot fail???

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: OulOat

Originally posted by: maladroit
ever think that maybe giving these kids that sense of accomplishment at a young age will give them a slight inspiration to want to succeed in life?

maybe? just a little?

They accomplished something that they cannot fail???

the kid doesn't know that.

 

[Lord Evermore]

The kids should be taught that they get rewarded for things they work for. A pre-schooler doesn't consider it work to go to school, it's playtime for them, and then they get an award. Having mom and dad say "good job, we're so proud of you" is how they should be rewarded, but obviously it's too much to expect parental guidance these days.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
The kids should be taught that they get rewarded for things they work for. A pre-schooler doesn't consider it work to go to school, it's playtime for them, and then they get an award. Having mom and dad say "good job, we're so proud of you" is how they should be rewarded, but obviously it's too much to expect parental guidance these days.

So what else can they accomplish? They're 5 years old, they can't do everything, why not reward them for what they can do.

 

[BatmanNate]

My only real memory from preschool was doing something very bad, and I don't really remember what it was but it caused my teacher to go outside and look for a stick. :Q (It was one of those were spanking was allowed and whatnot)

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
My only real memory from preschool was doing something very bad, and I don't really remember what it was but it caused my teacher to go outside and look for a stick. :Q (It was one of those were spanking was allowed and whatnot)

About the only thing I remember from preschool is a kid pulling down his pants and taking a sh!t on one of the tables

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
My only real memory from preschool was doing something very bad, and I don't really remember what it was but it caused my teacher to go outside and look for a stick. :Q (It was one of those were spanking was allowed and whatnot)

About the only thing I remember from preschool is a kid pulling down his pants and taking a sh!t on one of the tables

Maybe that's why she went to get the stick.

 

[ROTC1983]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
My only real memory from preschool was doing something very bad, and I don't really remember what it was but it caused my teacher to go outside and look for a stick. :Q (It was one of those were spanking was allowed and whatnot)

About the only thing I remember from preschool is a kid pulling down his pants and taking a sh!t on one of the tables

Maybe that's why she went to get the stick.

:Q

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
I'm all for rewarding kids for doing good. But this is really just too much (and it's been going on for years).

My sister sent me a picture of my 5-year-old nephew. Cutest damned thing. But the picture was of his graduation. From pre-school. With a gown and cap and a little diploma. Pre-school...which you can't NOT pass...which isn't even an official education level and isn't even required to have real teachers. He had to miss the ceremony because he was sick.

I don't have a problem with making kids feel good when they do something right, or accomplish something, but making a big deal out of the slightest thing just teaches them that they shouldn't try to do things unless they're going to be praised publicly and given huge rewards. What happened to plain old expectations of minimum performance? I didn't get a ceremony for getting from elementary school to middle school, or getting past middle school and into high school. A ceremony for getting out of highschool is okay, since that's the passage into adulthood and completion of all required schooling, but a 5 year old doesn't have any clue what graduation is about.

Oh chill. They've been doing this for years. It is a method of teaching...the kids learn that there is a reward for their work. Besides, they have a blast and feel really important wearing those gowns. It's cute!

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Nowadays they do that a lot. Makes the kids feel better or like they've accomplished something, for their esteem basically

 

[Lord Evermore]

Yeah well, all I know is kids today scare me. And I am only 26. And when I do basic good work, it's because I expect nothing less from myself, not because I hope to get a ceremony.

 

[notfred]

I agree that's stupid. Same thing with kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high graduations. They mean nothing.