Pushing our Kids to Grow Up too Fast

Not many people share my viewpoint as I have found but rather they are in a hurry to get their child through school quickly so they can graduate early. For what? So she can spend most of her childhood studying?

Recently, a child about my daughter's age got together with my daughter for some playtime. From what I understand, this child is in advanced learning (we are talking Kindergarten here folks!) and being "pushed" into the advancement by long school hours. So my daughter starts talking about Dora and My Little Pony toys only to get shot down by this "advanced" peer saying those are for babies and Hannah Montana is all the rage. I overheard (thank goodness!) and was quite appalled! Is this where higher learning has gotten that little girl? To shun toys for an immodest role model?? I will let my little girl play with her toys as long as she wants! Thank the Lord she knows when we go through Walmart, and she sees Hannah Montana, she proclaims - "That's not like Jesus, Mommy!"

Why the push? They are in Kindergarten people!!!! I used to play and nap in Kindergarten and do a few minutes of shapes and numbers, how about you? Now they want your child reading books in Kindergarten and writing words! WHAT!?!?

What sparked this topic today? Well I read a WONDERFUL post from Voddie Baucham's blog and here is a quote from his post:

"Our children need to be outside running and playing, not stressing over tests. Reading can wait. Our children need time to be kids. Four and five year-olds have plenty of time to become productive citizens. First, they need to play."

You can read the article he is referencing in the New York Times, entitled "Kindergarten Cram": http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magazine/03wwln-lede-t.html?_r=2