Transitions & ch-ch-ch-ch changes

School Stuff

By Ed Clark, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, April 9, 2007 (1 year, 9 months ago)
Print

“And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through”

— David Bowie
Ch-ch-ch-ch Changes/Dec ‘71

Another of Rock-n-Roll’s “great ones” David Bowie released the song “Changes” (Dec 1971) at a time we now clearly look back on as a time of social transition, a period of notable cultural change.
You need not remind anyone paying remote attention that schools, and the business of school, is in a continuous state of change.
Some 20 years ago I remember a conversation with a school superintendent where the man leaned over the desk and clearly proclaimed:
“Ed the only real certainty in this life is CHANGE!”
This oracle of sorts takes on more echoes with time.
For kids changes in school can present more struggle than many are willing to recognize. “School Transitions” we call them. Clearly marked forks in the school journey. One could talk for days of the developmental detail to these growing up junctures. “School Stuff” offers a snapshot of the more difficult points of transition:

Pre-school/ kindergarten/ grades 1-3
Kids, for the first time, socialize and learn for real without mom or dad. The learning tools gained in this period, as we all know, greatly define the entire school experience. Moms and even dads can cry driving away from morning drop-off.

Grade 3-4
Kids roll into an independence growth period where they are doing, and are expected to do, more things on their own in the classroom. Parents get real insight on how the freshly learned reading, writing, and basic math of primary grades will be used.

Grades 6-7-8
Often when a kid looks back on their schooling, these middle-junior high years are ones they want to most forget. This growing up time brings new meaning to awkward. Fitting in is front and center and at no point will more physical, emotional, and social development/struggle occur. Parents must pay close attention and become better listeners to their kids.

Grades 9-12
Kids really find out more of what they are made of. They are expected to “do school” - period. Never again will they be treated more grown up without the responsibility of being grown up — carefree days they are — we remember. Parents find themselves elevating to new levels of worry while at the same time witnessing what and who their kids are becoming.

Post/high school/college
What’s  it  going  to  be? Kids really draw separation for the first time and pretend to stand on their own. Life’s realities begin to visit for real and kids dig deeper down to find out who they are and what they will become. All the prep of days gone by comes into full view. Parents become smarter in the eyes of their kids — yippee!

On your own
Reality full circle, what will be is! Parents never stop being parents; kids start becoming parents. Hopefully some of the more enjoyable love and support times for both kid and parent.
As 20-, 30-, or 40-something parents, we begin the move from our attitude of gonna-knock-the-world-on-its-backside, to a more mellowing take that this is it; we’re doing it. As we begin to lean toward the fifth decade, we hope to see our own kids becoming the persons we had hoped and wished for while recognizing in them a distinct and most certain transference of ourselves.
Solo  car  rides  with  the music up and window down can spin these life thoughts, delivering us to thoughts of time left and the inevitable changes of life.
None of us ever really finish being schooled. Ch,ch,ch,changes/transitions are the certainties. Perspective and attitude are in charge of the view.
Happy Days.

0 Reader Responses to “Transitions & ch-ch-ch-ch changes”

Complete the form below to leave a response of your own.