By Labor Day, the first Monday in September, ending the American summer. Surprisingly often keeps even the weather of it. In each case, but is then going to two and a half months holidays, the school again. Or is it - like this year for R, our youngest - the first day ever at. For U.S. children and their parents that is, without distinction: "Back to School".
In FAZ recently compared by a study was read, after which the Americans are significantly more confidence in the institution of school as the
Germans ( The first day of school. Pedagogic professional cultures in the German-American comparison, VS Verlag, Wiesbaden 2009 ). To read, the author is Sandra Rademacher, the unexcited already on the phrase "Back to School". considers even more important but the fact that most American parents Einschulungstag their children have no role has been thought out - while fathers, mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers and godfathers of German i-Dötzchen on this solemn occasion, the school auditorium block (at least where you have unlimited à la "A maximum of two adults per school child! "has been set). And while we celebrate in the United States are embarking on an exciting new school year, provides people in Germany, especially the anxious question: Will my child in the family-school remote instance may not even really allowed his child?
By comparison, the thesis that take Mom and Dad in the U.S., the new dual role as their child's school-child naturally and effortlessly.
If only!
But even if a German influence is ruled out on America's education culture at all well-globalization: In this country, parents push things further forward in school. And because there is in the market for U.S. schools a tough competition, even to the "public schools" do not resist to this pressure. May also be offered Mom and Dad on the first day of school is no place in the gym - it is the pain of separation for pampered at their very own event.
In our school a few days before the official start parents and children of the new pre-school class invited to a welcoming ceremony. You sit in the auditorium, of course under the stars and stripes. Speech by the Deputy Director responsible. Presentation and speeches from the teachers, nurses, and the secretary of the school counselor ". This is a kind of in-house psychologist.
There are many practical tips, but also much consolation ("If your child needs a hug, it will be sure to get one!"). Thus we are assured that the "Gardener's children", as the preschoolers are called here, in addition to lunch every day, get two snacks. (The average American believes that no child for more than two, survived three hours without food supply.) At last, the almost incantatory please the teacher to the parents, on the first day of school too long, the children to stay ("I know that letting them go is SO hard, but we've got to start class at some point!"). But will, however, she hastened to assure equal to getting enough opportunity in the classroom to be there.
whom all this is not enough, which is shortly after the start of school, the traditional back-to-School Night "offer - a kind of solemn collective parents evening, where we again listened to the speeches of the principals and then visited with the teacher's classroom. You can sit stuck on the tiny chair of his child, the teacher is informed again about daily routine and curriculum. Finally, still fill out a questionnaire with more than a dozen questions to each individual child - The strengths and weaknesses, preferences and preferred conflict resolution mechanisms. In addition, we can check whether we read in class or in learning to read help guide our children to "school lunch" or in the library do. Same as the first but would like to know Ms. B. of us, the parents: "What do you expect to do for your Kindergarten child"
After so much participation in the school lives of their children, there really is no wonder that Mom and Dad later can not let go. "Students, Welcome to College - Parents, Go Home" , it was said recently in the New York Times . was under this title to a new trend American universities reported, called to celebrate "parting ceremonies", loszueisen to the "children" from their anxious parents. If that were the road for days on campus, making inspection tours. In such a cutting ceremony in Minnesota a dean to the families the new "Class of 2014" turned in his welcoming speech to explicitly back. And in a college in Atlanta (Georgia) parents were literally on the outside: After the welcome speeches in a nearby church, the "freshmen" headed to the campus - and right behind them ostentatiously closed the gates.
good Just that R. can have with his big brother in the yellow school bus ride to school, I thought. But SO much autonomy could then not be back, "Gardener's Children" at the school bus stop? Must be accompanied by their parents!
is for the result in the U.S. long term a technical term: "Velcro parents" - climbing parents.
(Princeton Post XXXIII)
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