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| |    What Is Education? by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. Education is one of those things that every adult has strong feelings about--either positive, negative, or, more often, mixed. On their list of priorities for their children, most parents place being well educated near the top, right up there with being physically and emotionally healthy, respecting their elders and themselves, and developing positive ethical and (for many families) religious values. As a pediatrician and a father, I certainly agree. It's clear to me that a child's emotional health, physical well-being, and academic achievements are all parts of a whole. I like to think of "health" as including all of the above. A dedicated school principal once said to me, "Every child has gifts; it's our job to help discover and nurture them." I think this comes close to defining the heart of education. In fact, the word "education" stems from Latin words that mean "to lead out"--that is, to draw out the inner qualities, strengths, and gifts that a child has. That is very different from the notion that teachers need to pour knowledge into children, who are like empty jars waiting to be filled. John Dewey, a famous educator from 100 years ago, said, "True education frees the human spirit." I believe that. What role can a parent play? Some parents feel helpless in the face of an educational system that seems big, impersonal, and unresponsive. Other parents I have known--and they are not always the ones with the most money in the bank!--feel empowered to take a leadership role when it comes to their children's education. Leadership doesn't necessarily mean being completely in charge, however. Effective parents know that they need to work together with teachers and principals, and, in some cases, with doctors or therapists. They know how to be pleasant and thoughtful, but also how to insist that their children receive an excellent education. They know their rights, and they join with other effective parents. They become a force for the positive education of their children. Not all school personnel are thrilled about these empowered parents (they do make demands and ask a lot of questions, after all), but the administrators respect them and work hard to meet their expectations. Your educational past As a parent, the point of reference for your child's educational experience is bound to be your own school days. Many things have changed, of course, but it is natural for you to make comparisons. If you were lucky enough to go to a good school--whether private or public--and received an excellent education, you may have very high standards for your child's school. (I think some adults are tempted to idealize their school memories, so that nothing in their child's present can ever live up to the ideal.) On the other hand, your school experiences may have been largely negative and you may have a pessimistic attitude about the educational system. In this case, it's important to remain open-minded and optimistic that your child can have a better experience. And she can! Your active, committed, thoughtful cooperation with the school can help bring that about.
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