Linda Hall: Guinea pigs in class are the kids

Linda Hall

My grandson starts school tomorrow - the first day of "formal" education is always a big one for both child and parent.

It made me think about how different his education is going to be from mine and, indeed, his parents.

I don't remember my first day at school but I do remember getting the strap when I was five years old for having my finger somewhere near my nose.

I've never forgotten standing in front of the entire class with my hand out, making myself keep it there and waiting for that sting.

It did sting and I cried, which made the entire ordeal even more humiliating.

Someone I know who is now in their 30s remembers having to stand in front of the class with their mouth taped shut for talking on the mat.

Knowing this person, there would have been a fair bit of talking going on and I have no doubt that they were warned several times - but still - they, too, were five years old.

This discussion came up as we talked about Auckland preschool teacher Lynn Euphemia Abraham, who was found guilty of 10 charges of assaulting children in her care, including washing a child's mouth out with soap.

She was found not guilty on one charge of taping a child's mouth shut.

How times have changed.

I'm glad my grandchildren don't have to worry about getting the strap or having their mouths taped shut but on the other hand they need to learn what's right and wrong and how to behave.

As we all know, that begins at home and a long time before they reach the school doors - or at least it should.

It's not only discipline that has changed. My grandson will be attending a school that has collaborative learning.

From what I understand, this new modern learning environment is about children learning to solve their own problems.

They don't just have one teacher, as I did, rather several classes share a space with several teachers.

That's fine if you are a confident child or even a naughty child.

Confident children get on with things and we all know what happens with naughty ones. They end up getting far more of the teacher's attention than anyone else.

It's the shy children who don't put their hand up who, in my opinion, could all too easily be left behind in this environment.

On Seven Sharp this week, the principal of Ponsonby Primary in Auckland, Anne Malcolm, said she was unconvinced about how good these modern learning environments were, especially for 5 and 6-year-olds.

"My opinion is that 5 and 6-year-olds are better off with one teacher most of the time," she said.

I agree. It's daunting enough for a new entrant to learn to trust one teacher let alone three or four.

The same goes for the teachers.

Our teachers already have so much on their plate, now they have to get to know the learning styles of so many more children.

One parent told me their 12-year-old daughter had three teachers.

"She tells me the teachers are so busy she doesn't like disturbing them with questions."

Isn't that how children learn - by asking questions?

And what happens when it comes to parent-teacher interviews?

There's no way teachers would have the time to meet every child's parent, so how do they decide who gets who?

Ms Malcolm said building a great big space without evidence it would work was not a good idea.

The trouble with all this new learning is that these children are the guinea pigs of a new system. If it doesn't work, they're the ones who will suffer the consequences.

So parents, watch and monitor your children - you are the ones who know them best.

• Linda Hall is Hawke's Bay Today's assistant editor.