Sometimes I wonder what on earth we are teaching our children.
My 6 year old came home recently having learnt rhythm at school and drove us mad singing ta-ti-ti-ta-ta all afternoon. This is a precursor to the introduction of the dreaded recorder isn't it? Irritation aside - is this really necessary?
Miss 8 seems to have spent the entire term learning about insects. She knows about the thorax, abdomen and eating habits of an array of insects. Is this really necessary? I do not ponder their habitat or outer shells as I squish them!
Master 10 has been learning about Ancient China. Interesting, but relevant??
I pondered all this as I drove past an RAC man changing the tyre of a young capable man recently. Obviously noone had shown this young man how to change a tyre.
Now this is necessary stuff that needs to be taught. Yes, the parents should be teaching it - but what if they don't? A generation of children joining the RAC to change a tyre??
What else?
Like it or not, young women need to be taught how to apply make-up. Most jobs nowadays require at least a small amount of make-up to be worn - especially in corporate environments (perhaps not if you are a miner or a truck driver).
If nooone shows them how to do it - how will they know? They may get it badly wrong - as evidenced by the people who are still creating a demand for blue mascara!
Also, self defence - forget long jump, triple jump and leaderball. Teach them how to defend themselves against attack. Brilliant - I'd save a small fortume in TaeKwonDo fees.
And speaking of out-of-school activites - what is going on there? Our next door neighbours are doing Cheer Leading. They love it - but if we MUST have Cheer Leading, and I am yet to see it really catch on in Australia - lets have some USEFUL stuff like cooking. Yes, someone should start an after school cooking class - they'd make a fortune!
What about debating? Useful - especially in every office environment I've ever encountered!
Craft Club? Art Club? Infact most of the courses offered as short courses at TAFE could be repackaged and marketed for children!
Languages, first aid, vegetable gardening... need I go on?
Any other things you think they should be taught - at school or otherwise?
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This week: All the 6 year olds at my daughter's school seem to have adopted the trait of talking like a baby. I countered it by offering her a baby-sized ice cream cone rather than her normal full size: The fad seems to have worn off!