Enrichment Programs for the kids - How much is too much? Should there be a limit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More children learn more than one language

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-01-09-language-children_x.htm

Uh, no. Read the article. It is about a school that teaches languages to young children but only one child in the article is taking more than one language. And with the parents saying that because she couldn't hold a violin as a baby they were going to send her to five language classes, I don't think thats such a healthy situation either. Nothing in the article says that there is anything positive about learning five different languages at one time and I would be shocked if you could cite anything that shows a benefit. The article does talk about teaching children a foreign language and nobody is going to dispute the possible benefit of that.

[Anonymous]

I think it matters if she is in preschool or at home. Kids in preschool already spend 8-10 hours a day in scheduled structured activities so I think anything on top of that is too much. If she is at home though then two activities a day isn't that excessive - the problem is the range of activities. Hard to practice and become proficient at so many things at once.

[Anonymous]

Most of my European colleagues kids speak multiple languages (+ English). Many of my American colleagues' kids speak one language -- English (or american English)--and not very well. Europeans mmust have higher IQ and tolerance for learning multiple languages at a young age while my American colleagues view this practise as unreasonable and a torturing experieince for their children.

[Anonymous]

For years it has been thought that teaching a foreign language to preschool-age children would be futile. However, recent studies indicate that the best time for a child to learn another language is in the first three to four years of life. Through language immersion, children can learn another language quickly and easily. During the first three years of life, the foundations for thinking, language, vision, attitudes, aptitudes, and other characteristics are laid down. Consequently, it would be a waste not to use a child's natural ability to learn during his or her most vital years, when learning a second language is as easy as learning the first. Since 50 percent of the ability to learn is developed in the first years of life and another 30 percent by age eight, early childhood development programs have the opportunity to encourage early learning and development.

As a pediatrician --- tis true for most things: music, math, languages, you name it. Try mastering these activities as a mature adult after the benefit of 18 years of play time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of my European colleagues kids speak multiple languages (+ English). Many of my American colleagues' kids speak one language -- English (or american English)--and not very well. Europeans mmust have higher IQ and tolerance for learning multiple languages at a young age while my American colleagues view this practise as unreasonable and a torturing experieince for their children.

At least when I was growing up, European children did not start routine formal study of foreign languages appreciably earlier than US children. They did, however, benefit from much greater casual exposure to English through music and sometimes movies/TV (although those tended to be dubbed).

[Anonymous]

My comment had no bearing on whether exposure to multiple languages is "formal" or "informal" or some combination thereof. You definition of "formality" is immaterial.

[Anonymous]

When children start learning languages at young ages, they have the capacity to learn many languages at once without getting confused — because, as the brain develops, so too does the ability to separate one language from another. Functional MRI studies also show multilingual children develop more than one language center in their brain if the languages are taught early; adults do not have the same capacity to develop another language center in their brains.

[Anonymous]

Language classes for young children are almost always taught through language immersion; children easily lean the new language through music and play games.

[Anonymous]

It's usually adults with fibrotic and declining neuronal matter who have difficulties fathoming the incredible plasticity of pediatric brains and the capacity for enrichment and acceleration. Since most adults have 1/10 that capacity (and declining); they assume kids are all tortured by "over exposure" -- unfortunately, purely a reflection of their own mental limitations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Enrichment refers to the increased depth of study of a particular topic. It can be viewed as an extention of the regular educational curriculum. While too many enrichments might be overwhelming for average kids, most experts agree both acceleration (speeding up of instruction) and enrichment (increased depth of study of a particular topic) are beneficial for gifted children.

Hi, tiger Dad, welcome to the thread.

[Anonymous]

Fibrotic and inelastic neurons: why such a restrictive definition of acceleration and enrichment as if all children attend formal brick and mortar and are receiving "instruction" however you define this?
Those kids not in any school must be so far behind!

[Anonymous]

Wow, so many posts from one person. Welcome back. I don't believe you are a pediatrician either. No one said anything about 18 years of play -- typical small man -- and that post was not in the language a pediatrician would use.

[Anonymous]

Wow, so many posts from one person. Welcome back. I don't believe you are a pediatrician either. No one said anything about 18 years of play -- typical small man -- and that post was not in the language a pediatrician would use.

My, you have a high impression of yourself. Posters do not need your endorsement, affirmation or faith. As for your medical linguistic expertise ... or any other expertise for that matter, we all know where you prefer to helicopter and it is closer to the stove. When we need your advise we'll ask for it; particulary, as it pertains to confirming language a pediatrician or other professionals use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Need some opinion regarding the enrichmen programs for the kids. How much is too much? should there be a limit?

My hubby and myself share different opinion regarding the quantity of enrichmen programs. I believe it is great idea, but it should be balance with rest of her playtime while he believe is giving her all that is out there as long as we can provide the financial support. Our DD is currently 4 years old. She has at least 1 - 2 enrichment activities every day including sat and sunday. Her enrichments ranges from different languages learning (Chinese, Spanish, French), boosting of her acadamic (english and math), music, dance, karate, gymastic, soccer, swim...etc. Although these programs focus on different typic and have both acadamic and fun, but I still believe it is way too much for a 4 year old. I am afraid it will end up doing more damage to her learning experience. Her willingness to learn. She does not complain abut it, but is it really health for her? My and my hubby constantly having argument over how much is too much. He wants to enroll her more, anything he see out there that is different then what she have currently, and as long as there is no conflict, he wants to enroll her. I have been trying to say no and put a ceiling to it, but appearently have not been successful as you can tell her plate is "FULL". Am I being too concern? Or is he being too much? Should there be a balance? If so, where should the line be? Any advise is greatly appreciated as I am so exhusted of constantly fighting with him regarding her education.

OMG, I am speechless.... 2 organized classes a day, even on weekends. I really don't want to be rude, but this is not a college freshman. Ask yourself, when you were in collge , how would you have felt to have classes all day and then take two exercise classes or electives each night. Assuming that your body had stopped growing and that you no longer needed a nap, I imagine you would have been burnt out pretty soon, maybe a within three weeks.

What is the goal here ? The primary need of a four year olds is to have a bond with his/her primary caregiver, to have consistent rules, and free play to explore. Many also still need a nap. Without the foundation of joy at play and unscheduled time, what are you stacking the French lessons, the piano and kumon onto ???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's usually adults with fibrotic and declining neuronal matter who have difficulties fathoming the incredible plasticity of pediatric brains and the capacity for enrichment and acceleration. Since most adults have 1/10 that capacity (and declining); they assume kids are all tortured by "over exposure" -- unfortunately, purely a reflection of their own mental limitations.

or perhaps pushing your child is purely a reflecting of your own compensating for your limitations. poor kid.