In a world where schooling has shifted dramatically — from remote learning to in-person classes and back again — many parents are concerned that their children are lagging academically. Children in kindergarten may not yet be reading, third graders might struggle with multiplication, and high schoolers may lack sufficient knowledge in subjects like chemistry. However, here’s the truth: your kids are not falling behind. We are all experiencing a global pandemic, and no one is truly falling behind.
As a high school educator, my partner recognizes that our educational standards are designed to prepare students for the workforce or military service. In essence, we mold children to become productive citizens, prioritizing their ability to work rather than their actual knowledge.
What Does It Mean to “Fall Behind”?
When we discuss kids “falling behind,” we must consider what that really means. A school superintendent might proudly declare, “Standards!” But what standards are we talking about? As Rita Kohli points out in her essay in Teacher Education Quarterly, these benchmarks reflect the values of the dominant culture — often upper-middle-class white society. Many standards are inherently biased, which leads us to judge our children through a lens that may be classist or racist. Do you want to view your kids this way? If not, it’s time to rethink the narrative that they’re falling behind.
Children don’t inherently know how to read by age five. I attempted to teach my son to read multiple times, beginning at various ages. By five, he could identify different species of toads in our yard but struggled to tell the difference between “b” and “d.” Every child learns at their own pace, and if your child seems to be falling behind, it’s likely due to arbitrary standards that hold little meaning.
Standards are Built for Productivity
The current educational system is structured around the idea that children will graduate at eighteen. As a society, we’ve deemed this age as the threshold of adulthood, enabling individuals to make significant life choices. Once they reach this age, there’s less need for structured schooling, which often doubles as childcare for many families. Thus, our educational benchmarks are tied to this eighteen-year timeline, dictating when specific skills should be mastered.
So when we claim kids are “falling behind,” we imply they may not be prepared for the workforce at eighteen — a critical concern in our capitalist society. This can lead to feelings of shame for both children and parents alike.
Wealth and Educational Expectations
Consider this: it is socially acceptable for wealthy individuals, like Prince William, to take a gap year. However, if your child were to take an extra year in school, the reactions would likely be judgmental. A gap year often entails self-discovery rather than academic work, so affluent kids are not considered to be “falling behind” in the way that less privileged kids might be perceived.
Your Children Are Learning Valuable Lessons
Right now, your kids are experiencing something that will shape their lives. They are learning to navigate the discomfort of wearing masks and making sacrifices for the health of others. They are developing compassion, understanding that their actions can impact vulnerable populations.
In addition, they are learning how to coexist with one another, resolve conflicts, and engage in creative play, all while self-isolating. While they may lag behind in specific subjects like long division or grammar, they are thriving in ways that matter — learning resilience, empathy, and maturity.
So yes, your kids may not be meeting certain academic benchmarks, but according to our personal standards — and especially in the context of a global pandemic — they are exceeding expectations with remarkable grace.
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Summary:
Amid the challenges of a pandemic, children are not falling behind academically; rather, they are learning valuable life lessons. Educational standards often reflect societal biases, and the focus should shift from traditional academic achievements to the resilience, empathy, and maturity children are developing during these unprecedented times.
Keyphrase: kids navigating pandemic education
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