In the UK, 19.8% of school pupils have special educational needs
(eg learning and behavioural difficulties)
The EU average is 4%
Photo by Bert Hardy
Why does one child succeed in life, and another one 'fail'?
In How Children Succeed, Paul Tough writes that what matters most is character skills.
These are skills such as self confidence, optimism, perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, and self-control.
In other words, emotional intelligence, as taught by good parents, good mentors and good private schools, is what matters.
Both rich children and poor children can lack emotional intelligence.
"Suniya Luthar, a psychologist at Columbia University found significant psychological problems at the high end of the income spectrum... These problems arise most often in those high-income homes where children feel simultaneously a great pressure to achieve and an emotional distance from their parents..."
'How Children Succeed' — Q&A with Paul Tough
Bill Brandt
"When this region is damaged - a common condition for children living amid the pressures of poverty - it is tougher to suppress unproductive instincts."
School reform: Stay focused | The Economist
The EU average is 4%
Photo by Bert Hardy
Why does one child succeed in life, and another one 'fail'?
In How Children Succeed, Paul Tough writes that what matters most is character skills.
These are skills such as self confidence, optimism, perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, and self-control.
In other words, emotional intelligence, as taught by good parents, good mentors and good private schools, is what matters.
Both rich children and poor children can lack emotional intelligence.
"Suniya Luthar, a psychologist at Columbia University found significant psychological problems at the high end of the income spectrum... These problems arise most often in those high-income homes where children feel simultaneously a great pressure to achieve and an emotional distance from their parents..."
'How Children Succeed' — Q&A with Paul Tough
Bill Brandt
"Apparently medical reasons explain why children who grow up in abusive or dysfunctional environments generally find it harder to concentrate, sit still and rebound from disappointments.
"The part of the brain most affected by early stress is the prefrontal cortex, which is critical for regulating thoughts and mediating behaviour.
School reform: Stay focused | The Economist
Website for this image...
Children who do not have good parents need good mentors and tutors, according to Paul Tough.
"Studies show that early nurturing from parents or caregivers helps combat the biochemical effects of stress.
"Studies show that early nurturing from parents or caregivers helps combat the biochemical effects of stress.
"And educators can push better habits and self control.
"The 'prefrontal cortex is more responsive to intervention than other parts of the brain,' writes Mr Tough.
"It stays malleable well into early adulthood.
"Character can be taught."
School reform: Stay focused | The Economist
The problem is - how does a child from a problem family find a good mentor?
The best mentors are often grandparents.
School reform: Stay focused | The Economist
The problem is - how does a child from a problem family find a good mentor?
The best mentors are often grandparents.