gearing, part three, avoiding the things that kill joy

September 8, 2019  

You’re probably already a week or more into your school year. However, all that aside, I will continue to post on our “gearing up for the school year” get together, first post HERE. Next item on the list of things which can potentially kill joy is SQUEEZING CHILDREN INTO ILL FITTING CURRICULA. 

Now, I don’t intend to overstate the fact, but we need to seriously consider what curricula we choose for our children. And here is why. It should fit well. You should not be squeezing the child into the ill fitting workbook. Now, it’s reasonable to assume that your grade two or three child will be able to do SOME of the work in any particular workbook or curriculum you’ve chosen. However, it is equally as valid to assume that there may be some parts that they a) already know and shouldn’t have to do as busy work or b) is too difficult for their particular age and stage of development. 

If you’re curriculum is not working (nota bene: a lot of crying is a clue to something not working), don’t assume that you’ve gotten the wrong curriculum (again). Assume this: the person developing the curriculum was not developing the curriculum for YOUR child, or ANY particular child, but for an average of the children your child’s age, who, by the way, doesn’t actually exist. DOESN’T EXIST. A person who is an average of all the people doesn’t exist. He or she is a figment, an average, a mean or a median, but not a real person. 

Also assume this: the curriculum developer probably has good intentions.  There are two things a curriculum developer or provider should have. Good intent. And good content. Let’s assume that the intent is good, and that the provider wishes your child to learn something. Maybe even several things. He or she DID NOT intend for you to be freaking out on your child or second guessing your fitness as a mother if your child doesn’t fit one or more aspect of said curriculum. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT I CAN’T EVEN TELL YOU. PLEASE, PLEASE DON’T YELL AT YOUR KID BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW A THING. 

Even if they knew it yesterday. 

Let’s start off with the very basic assumption that curriculum providers don’t want you going off the deep end because the curriculum doesn’t always fit. Let’s assume that no human being wants that for another human being. 

And so, rip out pages if you have to. Or don’t use curriculum. Or don’t even care at all, just do cool stuff with your kids and read a lot and find the inherent curriculum in your life. And theirs. Haaa. I’m out of breath I’ve been typing so fast.