What Eight Year Olds are Being Taught in School

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   Shawn May Scottposted 13 years ago

   The other day I was in the grocery store and I over heard a conversation behind me (I was not trying to listen). The ladies were talking about how their eight year old children had been taught about drugs and alcohol in health class. The complaint was that the children were brow beatten with fear and the teacher had told them that one sip would get you hooked and you would be an addict. Most eight year olds I know do not know the meaning of the word addict. So what lesson are these children learning? Is teaching with fear acceptable? I thought we were educating our children these days not frightening them.

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      Diane Insideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What grade is 8yr olds  about third grade? I remember being showed marijuana and even getting to smell what it smelled like being burned in the third grade.  It was something that my mother had to sign permission for me to particiapate in this class.  But it has been going on for years, I am now 41 so that was in about 1978.   And the fear thing worked for me. lol  But I understand where your coming from.  I Just believe that the schools should be required to have parents permission to teach anything that is outside the scope of academics.

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         Shawn May Scottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         My shock comes from the fear being instilled. Yes back when we were in school they used that tactic to teach. I was under the impression that we had developed somewhat and could teach our children with respect and give them a healthy repsect for appropriate behaviour with regards to substances. I was never taught in school about drugs and alcohol we had a community police officer come in and discuss it with us once, but it was not part of the curriculum.

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   win-winresourcesposted 13 years ago

   Hello Shawn-
   
   Eight years old (probably second grade) is not too young to be taught about things that pose significant hazzards.  I'm sure you taught you children about crossing streets, steering clear of strangers, swimming only where life guards are on duty and the like.
   
   Sadly, drugs and alcohol (which is also a drug) are all too available to just about anyone, regardless of age  do have a place to be taught in schools.
   
   Since you only have an overheard second hand story, I would recommend going to the school to personally witness the curriculum.  While teaching with fear is not a particularly good approach (and I really wonder if that was the case), alerting children to the true dangers seriousness of such behavior is legitimate.
   
   -DW

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      Shawn May Scottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This is third grade. I also know the teacher already and her style of teaching (we live in a smaller community). The comments about the teacher were fair. And yes sadly we do need to teach our children about hazards. That is not my issue. My issue is the method of delivery. I do not believe in fear teaching as I am an individual who worked with children for 30+ years.

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   Melis Annposted 13 years ago

   I have children this age and I think if fear is the reality, then it should be used to teach. Unfortunately, kids' experiences with drugs have begun at younger ages. So young that they have no idea to be afraid of what they are being offered. When they know what can actually happen to them, they can make the decisions for themselves without even thinking.

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      Shawn May Scottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think I need to clear up some information for you. I am not just talking about the stupid idiot that huffs we are including drugs given by the Doctor or Mom and Dad and the fact that alcohol is legal. After talking to the Principle of the school today we are in agreement that fear is not the way to teach a child. Respect and knowledge given with dignity is the avenue. Give the child knowledge and they will make the right choice. To be honest with you I would hate to see you terrify your children about any given subject. That is parenting and teaching by control and not anything that should be delivered to children.

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