My husband and I got to talking last night about sports, school, outdoor activities, and all the other things kids enjoy. We ended up wondering is it better to put a group of kids together who excel greatly in an activity [let’s say baseball] or is it better integrate?
Another example is; school. Is it better for kids who are better in the subject to sit at the same table so they can push each other to excel or spread themselves amongst the classroom to help others?
The thing is there are ups and downs to both situations. If they are with other students who have the same strong points [sports or science--whatever it is…] they really push them each other and feel challenged. At the same time, if they were to be with the other peers whose weakness was their strength they could teach the other kids and help out but not feel challenged. What do you feel is best for kids--to be integrated among others with weakness or be with peers who have the same strong point? Thanks!
2007-07-23 12:12:49 · 8 answers · asked by .vato. 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I should also add that it isn't a matter of which child is 'better.' Every child has their strengths and weaknesses. Johnny could be good at math but be horrible at sports. Carrie could be great at soccer but really have a hard time reading. It isn't about being better--it's about achievement.
2007-07-23 12:16:49 · update #1
I'm not saying outside of school, sports teams, or activities these kids should stick together or stay apart. I'm just saying in an organized setting is it a good thing? Great answers so far! Thanks!!
2007-07-23 12:24:00 · update #2
That's an interesting question. I think having all the kids mixed up together is better. Out in the real world, they're going to have to learn to deal with all kinds of people with different backgrounds and talents. It's best that they learn diversity early.
2007-07-23 12:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by Kat H 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think too many sports teams put kids on so they don't get their feelings hurt, so they don't learn to deal with disappointment, which is a bad thing. Not every child needs to be on the team. As for in the classroom, if students that excel are forced to work with kids that are slackers, they might tend to slack off more...this is why some schools have advanced classes. There is always the possibility of an above average student tutoring, but that should be left for after school, not when they are trying to do their own school work.
2007-07-23 19:18:29 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I know that at my sons school new and old they would somehow segregate the kids. The ones who caught on faster than others would sit together and the ones who had a rougher time would sit together and try to help each other. I don't think that the kids knew exactly what was going on but it didn't seem to bother them. The kids who did better would just get extra work while the teacher was helping the other group as a whole.
2007-07-23 19:49:08 · answer #3 · answered by helpful one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a parent of three entirely different children, I have found that integrated is best in some situations and seperation is better in others. I have a daughter who is very gifted academically. She thrives on being able to help others. She has assisted a number of her classmates in reading, math, and other subjects. Her teachers believe that without her intervention, some of these children would have been held back. I am proud of her for doing that, but I also worried that this caused her to fall behind. What actually occured was the repetition of helping others helped her to learn it more thouroughly. She is in a gifted program at school now, and is around other gifted children, I have seen her thrive in this program also. The students are on the same level and work together to better themselves. This has helped her also. I am thankful that her school has both of these methods in place so that she gets the best out of both programs.
My younger daughter excels both in school and in sports. She is very good at basketball but would not have gotten that way without the assistance of better players. Now she is a good player. She had an aptitiude to begin with for sports. She was able to learn and pick up on it. I do believe that if someone doesn't have that ability to learn to play a sport and excel at it, that it is detrimental for them to play with others that are good players. It brings the morale down of the team. I hope that this helps answer your question.
2007-07-23 19:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by Denise P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is good in terms of sporting teams and schooling to have people with their strong points all together. It is the teacher or coaches job to teach the kids who aren't so good at it to improve. If the kids who are stronger are all together then they will excell and can become better instead of just staying at the same level.
Kids need to feel challenged, or else the pack will eventually pass them without them realising.
2007-07-23 19:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by heatedwirez 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it's probably better for kids to stick with other kids who are more like them. If they're in the smart clique, then they are most likely getting support from other "smart" kids, who are not only like them, but understand them better. The same goes for jocks, and so on.
However, that's not to say that kids shouldn't be friends with more than just their group. I think children should be encouraged to make friends with several different groups of people, and in the longrun, I think it's better for the group as a whole, and for the individual. But my personal opinion is that children who are supported and encouraged by peers who are like them will excell more in their endeavors.
2007-07-23 19:19:21 · answer #6 · answered by still waiting 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to schooling the children I think they should have advanced classes for children who excel in certain subjects to challenge their minds more.
2007-07-23 19:39:36 · answer #7 · answered by Cristy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*All* children should have as wide an education as possible in order to have them turn out as well-rounded adults - this is the trouble over here these days with these "specialist academies" - it's nonsense - how to you know what potential your children have if they are split off into some particular field at so young an age?
Sometimes I despair for our future as a Society!
Best wishes,
Joan.
Edit - Oh dear the phantom thumbs-downer strikes again - have you nothing better to do with your time? - probably not come to think of it!
2007-07-23 19:26:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋