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Why Measuring Your Child Against Common Milestones Is a Bad Idea


As parents, it’s our privilege and responsibility to nurture our children’s potential, to keep their passion for life burning bright, and to remind them (and ourselves!) of just how truly gifted they are. Each of our children has unique strengths and limitless potential, and it’s up to us to help them shine.

 

To illustrate this, I want to share a powerful fable with you—a reminder of the importance of embracing our children’s individuality:

 

"Once upon a time, the animals decided they must do something heroic to meet the challenges of a 'new world,' so they organized a school.

They adopted a curriculum that included running, climbing, swimming, and flying.

To make things easier, all the animals were required to take every subject.

 

The duck was outstanding at swimming—better than his instructor, in fact! But he only managed passing grades in flying and struggled with running. Because he was slow at running, he had to stay after school and even dropped swimming to focus on running. Eventually, his webbed feet became worn, and he was just average at swimming. But 'average' was acceptable in school, so no one worried about it—except the duck.

 

The rabbit started off at the top of the class in running, but he became so overwhelmed by make-up work in swimming that he had a nervous breakdown.

 

The squirrel was excellent at climbing until he got frustrated in flying class, where his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of the treetop down. He ended up with a 'charlie horse' (muscle spasms) from overexertion, and his grades slipped to a C in climbing and a D in running.

 

The eagle was labeled a "problem child" and faced severe discipline. In climbing class, he outpaced everyone to the top of the tree but insisted on using his own method to get there.

 

At the end of the year, an unusual eel who could swim exceptionally well and also run, climb, and fly a little, had the highest average and became valedictorian.

 

The prairie dogs, however, refused to attend the school and protested the curriculum’s lack of digging and burrowing. They apprenticed their children to a badger and later started a successful private school with the groundhogs and gophers."

 

Wow.

 

Isn’t this story a powerful reminder? It teaches us that we shouldn’t measure our children (or ourselves) by conventional standards or milestones.

Each child is unique, with their own strengths and passions, and it’s so important that we celebrate and nurture those.

 

At Academicus, we’re dedicated to doing just that. We recognize and celebrate each child’s individuality, curiosity, and potential.

Whether it’s our baby and toddler classes that encourage discovery and sensory learning, or our school-aged children’s programs where hands-on projects and exploration fuel a love for reading & writing and the world around them, we are here to help your child thrive.

 

So why not join us this week for a trial class? Let’s keep that fire and passion for life burning bright by giving our children the chance to do what they love and excel in!


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