[nightlight7]

The FR server software still has that bug that appeared recently in its code for conversion to UTF8.

[cripplecreek]

Today's children also spend less time outside, where they might have more opportunities to explore how their bodies move through space, learn to balance and figure how to handle toys and tools in relation to one another.

When I was a kid I was always outside and even today I spend at least a few minutes of every waking hour outside.

[Crazieman]

I find this odd, considering the fine motor skills required in sniping people in only a couple hundred video games; all on PC, XBOX, PSX, and Nintendo.

Believe me, I know, having spent a considerable amount of skill determining wind, gravity, and air resistance on Battlefield 3 and 4 for 1500+ yard sniper shots.

[ETL]

Via an e-mail some years ago, with some minor modification by myself...

Teaching Math In 1950:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

Teaching Math In 2010:
A logger cuts down some beautiful forest trees because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living?
________________________________

[polymuser]

“I need to pacify these bothersome kids with TV or their tablet. I just don’t care or have the energy to pay attention to them, I just want to chill with my drink and text my BFFs.”

American women strike again. Pitiful state they’ve put us in, with their neglected daycare-raised children, broken marriages, feminist attitudes and who they’ve voted for. Sorry, gals, but it’s reality that’s hurting our nation.

[ThanhPhero]

My goddaughter in Việt Nam at 22 months held a pencil the way an American adult holds one, at least before the schools started to teach kids to hold pencils in their fists like toddlers do. She could feed herself with chopsticks and eat soup with a spoon without spilling it, indeed I watched her transfer soup with a spoon from one bowl to another while standing on the chair and leaning over the table without spilling. She could accurately kick or throw a soft rubber ball across the room to someone and could catch it. I fear I am too old to see her education through properly but I will send the funds necessary to keep her in a good Catholic school which her parents love (they are Buddhist) because it really pushes the bright kids more than the government schools do though they do a better job than most American schools do now.

[ZULU]

Stupid government owned sheep don’t need thumbs. :)

[knarf]

What?

Check that finger action on the celphones ...

WIZARDS !!!

[Rodamala]

but I bet they can all play Candy Crush just fine.

[randita]

I’ve heard from Kindergarten teachers that it’s pretty common for children starting classes to not even know alphabet letters and numbers.

[WHBates]

Bump for later

[Jack Hammer]

Kindergarten kids showing up without the capacity to draw.

We’re dooooomed.

[trebb]

Nothing like good old fashioned playing to develop motor skills - the more we protect our kids from the chance of getting a boo-boo, the more we atrophy their lifelong survival skills.

[Vermont Lt]

Kids are not playing as much. Everything is so damned structure.

[A_perfect_lady]

I’m teaching high school this year, and I have 9th graders who can’t seem to cut decently with scissors, or draw a straight line. I am concerned.

[G Larry]

Electronics and common core and “making everything safe” are ruining our kids.

[American in Israel]

Meanwhile the rate of vaccinations goes up and up and up.

[txrefugee]

Many enter school with no potty skills, table manners, and speaking skills as well. Most children in the poorest homes were taught the basics of civilization during the hard scrabble ‘20s and ‘30s, something sadly lacking in our society today. However, having no moral training is the most dehumanizing lack of all.

[GingisK]

The prevailing views of society have caused toys to be either politically incorrect or dangerous. Sometimes the kids are left to develop fine motor skills by picking their noses.

Kids are abandoned to play video games, with little else remaining in their "toy kit" and very little outdoor activity.

Other than that, everything is the same.

[sportutegrl]

Cunningham says many therapists believe the Back to Sleep campaign, which promotes placing infants on their backs to sleep, has delayed muscle development.

For centuries, parents have placed children to sleep on their stomach. You could say that children evolved sleeping on their stomach. Now we are seeing multiple problems from children who are back sleepers. It used to be that parenting books listed the ability to crawl at six months as an important developmental milestone, now it is not even mentioned. I see infants everywhere with the flat back head from back sleeping, how do we know what the long term effect of that will be on brain development?