Which is more important -- academics or social/emotional development?

[Anonymous]

And, I'm curious, which schools do you feel are sufficiently "academic?"

[Anonymous]

Here's an interesting article underscoring the importance of play -- http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/06/09/cognitive-and-emotional-development-through-play/

[Anonymous]

Earlier posts reamain consistent, music and art for 7-year-olds are not as challenging as mathematics and social studies. My position has not veered. Though your interpretation continues to change. It is preposterous to assume subjects a 7-year-old are taught in his or her 6-hour day carry the same weight or challenge.

[Anonymous]

Very few people would argue that 7-year-olds should NOT be taught reading, writing, and math. The more important question is how those subjects are taught. I would not want my 7-year-old sitting in a chair doing worksheets for hours at a time. First graders should be exploring their world, doing hands-on projects that integrate these basic skills, moving around, working in small groups, going on field trips, etc. True academic rigor means teaching kids to learn, to think, to analyze, not just to memorize and perform.

Because of this, I think the academics vs. emotional development is a false dichotomy. I want both, and a school which neglects one for the other would be the wrong school for my kid!

[Anonymous]

But can we agree that music and art are as important to children as math, etc., and that social/emotional development is as important as traditional "academics," and that neither kind of learning can take place without the other? Emotional intelligence is clearly as important as academic intelligence in succeeding in life, I believe.

[Anonymous]

I would hypothesize America's touchy feely educational approach explains in part why her performnace ranks at the back of the bus compared to her peers...the rampart delutionary grade inflation with most with B+ and higher so feelings aren't hurt. Everyone get the unrealistic a ribbon or prize or ttrophy in club sports too. My also explain her decline in global athletics.

[Anonymous]

With all the promotion of emotional and social intelligence in education why is the divorce rate so high? We know why everyone graduates with a B+ or higher? Of course, it's the emotional and social intelligence that promotes such sterling performance in American schools (not grade inflation).

[Anonymous]

But can we agree that music and art are as important to children as math, etc., and that social/emotional development is as important as traditional "academics," and that neither kind of learning can take place without the other? Emotional intelligence is clearly as important as academic intelligence in succeeding in life, I believe.

I don't agree. School is primarily for academic development. Social and emotional development comes from various and sundry areas including the HOME, the athletic fields and other extracurricular activities including play and travel.

Is social and emotional development important. Of course. Is nutrition important ... of course. Is defecation and urination vital...of course. But what does school have to do with this?

[Anonymous]

I don't agree. School is primarily for academic development. Social and emotional development comes from various and sundry areas including the HOME, the athletic fields and other extracurricular activities including play and travel.

Is social and emotional development important. Of course. Is nutrition important ... of course. Is defecation and urination vital...of course. But what does school have to do with this? [/quote


Your observation is consistent with some psychiatric longitudinal studiies that note higher rates of disturbed children in homes with important social and emotional disturbances (psychiatric problems). It appears many children get their social and emotional compass from home ... not the school down the street.

[Anonymous]

I guess I don't see "academics" and "social and emotional development" as mutually exclusive. The best schools infuse academic instruction with practices that promote social and emotional development. For example, working cooperatively on projects, on occasion, instead of sitting at desks filling out worksheets independently. It is simply wrong to suggest that schools select either "academics" or "social and emotional development" as their sole objective. I happen to think that those schools that value social and emotional development, and incorporate it into their instructional practices, are doing a better job educating than those schools that dismiss such concerns as irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

I have not read all of the post but the academics are very important. If they are not prepared for middle school you will not be happy with their class placement in middle school. It is not a happy place if you are below grade level. Actually it can be quite scary.

[Anonymous]

The lack of social and emotional development in children usually arises from pathology at home and not at school. Soution is to fix the home. Save educational tax dollars for quality teachers and academics.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same situation..2nd grade student in a MD private school where her teacher won't stop to hear my child's excitement over loosing her 9th tooth. 3rd private school already...Bright kid , loves school.I do not think we have to settle for less when we are paying..I am looking for a christian school where the child's spiritual /emotional and academic development matters(montgomery or howard county) any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at a Church related school?

[Anonymous]

I posted 16:28--yes, pre-school and 1st grade were 2 different church-related.;currently in non-denom christian school.