Parents, Don’t Compare Developing Minds!

It’s not surprising that parents want to gauge their child’s development; there are charts that outline typical physical growth in every doctor’s office, so logically there should be corresponding emotional and intellectual charts, right?  That way any eager parent who wants the best for their child can trigger an academic intervention at the earliest signs of being “left behind.” However, especially for very young children, this is not the case at all.

Children reach different stages of their development when they are ready – not necessarily at the same time as their classmates, who may have had an easier time with certain milestones. For example, I’ve heard parents stressed out that their four-year old can’t count to 100, or write their full name. This is often not a concern for the families until they start comparing their child’s development to that of their peers.

Does knowing how to count to 100 by four years old make the child a more capable, happy, individual? At Pace Academy, we posit that children have their whole lives to learn facts, but only a short window in which to begin formation as a complete person. Instead of arbitrary academic achievements, we believe the following is what a four-year-old should know:

1. They should know that they are loved and worthy of attention.
2. They should know how to be safe.
3. They should know how to use their imagination.
4. They should know what their interests are.
5. They should know that the world is magic to be discovered.
6. They should know that they are capable.

These are all things that children will learn at Pace Academy, but it begins at home. We want all of our parents to understand that every child will learn what they need to learn at the right time – their learning isn’t a race. There are no prizes for being the first, or even the best, and parents tend to forget that children aren’t happiest when they’re “achieving.” In fact, the pressure to do so can stress out an otherwise carefree child. So, what’s a parent to do, who wants the best for their child? Preparing our children to be well-rounded, complete humans means letting them be children first, exploring their interests and the world around them. Don’t worry so much, parents. Spend time with your kids and enjoy this journey with them! They need you to be there with them, helping them through the inevitable tough times and cheering their successes as they develop – at their own pace.