Intelligence Testing

Testing our children's intelligence has been performed for many years in our school systems. I remember as a child testing at school too. I don't remember teachers being obsessed with it or being stressed out or worried about the tests. I think the testing is beginning to get out of hand. The schools are being looked over to see how well their children are doing and sometimes it results in the funding the schools get. These days we want to test our children for everything. How good are they in math? science, reading, thinking, problem solving, can they run, jump, and so on and so on. Then parents, teachers and sometimes the children have to hear that their child is behind or should be walking or talking or jumping or should no 10000 words by now. This puts a lot of stress on the parents and child. My own son came home when he was in 4th grade and said that his test scores in reading weren't good and his teachers told him he doesn't read fast enough. He was upset for a long time and thought he wasn't as good as everyone else. He is now going to be a junior and has never failed or had any issues in school.  I believe when we put too much stress on our children they will not do well. I am not against testing our children but the stress should not be on them to perform better or else..

Children can be tested or observed to see where they are academically and then teachers and counselors can discuss the results with parents and together come up with a plan to help the child if needed. The child should not be pressured to test well or perform well. Every child learns and develops at different levels, Even as adults we learn different. We don't want to be labeled or left out because we may learn different or faster or slower than someone else. For example as an adult we wouldn' want to be passed up for a dream job just because we learn or perform the duty different from someone else. We are willing to learn and train to perform. We should not treat our children this way either. 

In Japan children are not tested or even given homework in early elementary years. These years are for them to learn social skills, manners, respect. Pressure of testing and homework does not help them and it is not a priority in the early years of school. Play and exercise is important and in Japan the children get plenty of it. They have several times during the day that the children play outdoors or exercise. They believe it helps them relieve stress, the children are happy and it is healthy for them.  Testing is not exempt in Japan. The children do start testing hard in Junior high and high school years and it is difficult and stressful because it is something the school teachers and parents are involved with but the support of the family and school is helpful and the children are older and understand what the testing is for.

I believe our children should not be tested until they are older so they understand what is going on, what is expected and how to prepare for it. Just last week in our center we had people coming in to test the children. The children as young as 1 were being observed and tested and when they were done they mentioned to us as teachers who they thought was behind. Comments were made that certain should be walking or talking by now and I had to disagree and comment how these children all learn differently.