Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Miseducation : PRESCHOOLERS AT RISK by DAVID ELKIND ISBN: 0-394-75634-7 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 12 November, 1987 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 1
Summary: Read a library copy
Comment:
I was deeply disappointed by this book. I was seeking a reasoned presentation of the case against early teaching, and instead ended up with this unsupported diatribe by a man who seems to misunderstand a lot of what he opposes.
The alarm bells went off early. In the first chapter Elkind repeatedly talks about "pushing" and "pressuring" children, using loaded language to try to turn us against the idea of teaching them. Someone should explain to him that it's only pushing if the child resists. I have also read the pro side of this controversy, particularly Glenn Doman, who emphasizes repeatedly that parent and child should both be having a wonderful time and you should stop immediately if that isn't so.
I could understand the casual use of loaded language, since this is a polemic. However, Elkind continues mischaracterizing left and right. He blithely slots parents who teach their young children into one of several cute categories, and proceeds to describe them in improbable detail. For instance, "Another group of parents want their children to become Olympic-class athletes or competitors. Gold-Medal parents tend to be in routine middle-management positions with little hope for advancement . . . ." And he goes on like that for some time, describing these so-called Gold-Medal parents as if everyone teaching their child a sport at a young age were precisely identical. And there are lots of other cute labels, like Outward Bound parents and Prodigy parents. Apparently we are to see people who teach their young children as "types" rather than as people. And these absurd stereotypes are not supported in any way; he just blandly asserts them as fact.
Elkind talks about one boy who was taught early and toilet-trained late, attempting to imply that these things are connected. But "late" toilet-training is quite common these days, and we see many three-year-olds in diapers whose parents have never taught them anything.
He also talks about one boy who was taught early and is doing quite well, and congratulates the mother on her son's good luck as if the boy had dodged a bullet. But he presents no statistics to back this up. He just thinks the boy must have been lucky because his happiness doesn't accord with Elkind's views on the dangers of early teaching.
Where are his figures on how taught vs. untaught children fare later in life? There aren't any. Although the "nine pages of notes and bibiography" mentioned by a previous reviewer do exist, many of them are references to things like _Time_ and _Money_. Others are citations of the works he's slamming. There's very little research cited, and he is obviously cherry-picking his sources.
I became disgusted with the book when I reached the part where Elkind argues that children should not be exposed to computer use. He briefly mentions Seymour Papert, the creator of LOGO, but takes the tone that this idea was outrageous and completely omits to mention Papert's impressive results. This is a fine example of the cherry-picking I mentioned.
He then makes a statement which is truly awesome in its ignorance. He asserts "The problem with such programs is that they presuppose a level of mental ability higher than that which they seek to encourage. Put differently, a child who really understands programming is at a sufficiently high level of mental development that learning programming is not really going to promote additional mental development."
Programming does not promote mental development, according to Elkind. But anyone who has ever learned to program, as a small child or an older child or a teenager or an adult, knows better. In fact it is difficult to think of anything which does more to promote mental development, although music and pure mathematics rival it. Perhaps the basic art of reading is even more effective, but Elkind is also against teaching small children to read!
Elkind suggests a set of blocks instead of LOGO. A set of blocks is great, but why on Earth can't a child have both?
This is already too long, so I'll end the blow-by-blow analysis. In summary, I suggest checking this book out of the library if you're curious about it. It certainly isn't worth a place in one's permanent home library.
I remain in search of a book which can make a reasoned case against early teaching of children who enjoy it. It's difficult to disagree with the idea that one shouldn't place tiny children in a high-pressure all-day academic program, but few people were ever arguing for that in the first place.
Rating: 5
Summary: Right on Target!
Comment: Dr. Elkind is not suggesting that young children should not be taught. Instead he is educating the public on the *appropriate* way to teach these very special members of our population. He offers nine pages of notes/bibliography to support his sound child development theories. At the time of publication he had logged in about 25 years in the early childhood field, which I think makes him an "expert". I have a degree in e.c.e. & taught pre-k for over a decade. Trust me, this book is right on target. I highly recommend it, especially for parents who are feeling pressured to have "superkids".
Rating: 1
Summary: intelligence is NOT a bad thing!!!
Comment: I have read this and similar books, such as "potty training for Yale", and their entire premise is ridiculous. Tiny children love to learn--anything they can, as much as they can, and as soon as possible. We are doing children a disservice by not meeting this sublimely human need. By the time children start formal education, it is actually much more difficult (and less fun!) for them to learn then it was when they were babies! For an inspiring and *scientifically sound* approach to the topic of early education, I IMPLORE you to first check out Glenn Doman's book, "How to Multiply Your Baby's Intelligence"--it will change you and your child's life immensely. Leave this stinted view of children's capabilities behind, and TEACH THEM--they are so hungry for learning!
 |
Title: The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon (3rd edition) by David Elkind, Ph.D., David Elkind ISBN: 0738204412 Publisher: Perseus Publishing Pub. Date: 10 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
 |
Title: Reinventing Childhood: Raising and Educating Children in a Changing World by David Elkind ISBN: 1567620698 Publisher: Modern Learning Press Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
 |
Title: The Over-Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-Parenting Trap by Alvin Rosenfeld, Nicole Wise ISBN: 0312263392 Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Pub. Date: 07 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
 |
Title: All Grown Up and No Place to Go: Teenagers in Crisis by David Elkind ISBN: 0201483858 Publisher: Perseus Publishing Pub. Date: December, 1997 List Price(USD): $17.50 |
 |
Title: Your Child's Growing Mind by Jane Healy ISBN: 0385469306 Publisher: Main Street Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1994 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
