Early musical education on Mondays, swimming on Tuesdays, English for Beginners on Wednesdays, dancing on Thursdays, pottery on Fridays, planned visits to friends and relatives at the weekend – some little people have a schedule that would do any CEO proud.
Child development – How much drill can childhood endure?
Do children need so much input? And if so, why? Is it bad to be bored? And what actually makes a childhood really great?
The ambition of the parents
Even in the womb, the little ones are bombarded with classical music, and the plans of the parents-to-be are frighteningly precise. "Of course our child has to learn an instrument, for intellectual development! Of course we are raising the child bilingually, otherwise how will it keep up in the job market later on?"
Sport is a must, it stimulates ambition!” These and a thousand other arguments clearly show that many parents are extremely unsettled in the face of social developments, in the shadow of PISA and educational reforms.
What do you really need to give your child on their way into life? What actually creates advantages, and at what price? The early education and training craze of many parents is also fed by countless commercial offers. It is constantly suggested that without additional support a child will no longer be able to keep up and meet later requirements. All parents and those who want to become parents would do well to give their offspring the chance to develop into a little personality without any disruption - with all the talents, quirks and peculiarities that nature has already given them.
The grass doesn't grow any faster if you pull on it! African proverb
Less is often more
At the latest in kindergarten, you have to face the comparison. There are always children who ride horses, are in a sports club, take music lessons, take language courses or act in the theater. Is it already considered good manners to plan the free time of the juniors? Do we even owe it to the younger generation?
Blind actionism is completely out of place here. The measure of things should always be the child itself, and in the first three years of life, children have their hands and heads full managing their development even without an additional program.
Psychologists warn against overburdening children too early and advocate special "further training" starting at the age of 4 at the earliest. One or two sessions a week are then entirely justifiable - provided the child wants these activities of their own accord. It has been proven that it is completely ineffective for parents to prescribe additional support if the child is not willing to accept it.
Even though children are supposedly interested in and enthusiastic about everything, they develop aversions and preferences at a young age. If you follow these and any talents they may have, the enrichment of the little mind is guaranteed, in contrast to the thoughtless use of popular mass offerings.
You won't get out of work if you show your child the rainbow. But the rainbow doesn't wait until you're done with work.
Chinese proverb
What is all this for?
Children need recognition and a sense of achievement. The experience of surpassing oneself, reaching one's goal with perseverance, new forms of expression, team spirit, recognizing one's own strengths - these moments prepare our children optimally for life.
They give them self-confidence, strength, family support and make them happy, cheerful people. This and enough space to simply be children, curiosity and security are the cornerstones of a contented, balanced childhood.
No PISA test, no entrance test and no career prospect justifies stealing this time from your child with overcrowded daily schedules, pressure to succeed and stress.
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