Homeschooling can be an adequate replacement for traditional schooling, but it often depends on the individual needs of the student and the effectiveness of the homeschooling environment. According to research, students who are homeschooled can perform as well as, or better than, their peers in traditional schools, particularly if they have a structured curriculum and supportive resources (Ray, 2017). However, homeschooling may lack social interaction opportunities that traditional schools provide, which is an important aspect of a child's development. Therefore, while homeschooling can be effective, it requires careful planning to ensure that all educational and social needs are met.
Ray, B. D. (2017). A nationwide study of home education in the United States: The third annual report. National Home Education Research Institute.
Controversial Topics in Middle Childhood
Choose one of the questions below. Write a three to five sentence response to the question. Your response can in part be based upon your opinion but should also refer back to the text or another supplemental resource. Your response should use proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. You should reference your source using proper APA format. Example sentences are below:
- Feldman describes the six multiple intelligences (2018).
- Multiple intelligences can be divided into six categories (Feldman, 2018).
Discussion Question Options
- Do gender differences exist in the classroom?
- Is homeschooling an adequate replacement for a traditional school?
- Should children be using the Internet?
- Should children have cell phones?
- Should we use code-based or whole language –based strategies for teaching reading?
- Should we teach basic math facts or conceptual math?
- Should we separate children based on IQ test scores alone?
- Does the fact that students in low-achievement schools often have higher academic self-esteem than students in high-achievement schools argue against high-achievement schools? Why or why not?
- What is an example of the relationship between low self-esteem and failure in an area other than academics? What can be done about it?
- How do children’s friendships and adult friendships differ? How are they similar?
- Do you think boys’ and girls’ different approaches to friendship are primarily genetic or environmental? In what ways might they be influenced by cultural factors?
- Do expectancies work outside the classroom among adults? How?
31 discussions
The discussion whether children should or should not have cell phones is complex. On one hand, children having cell phones helps them to stay connected to their parents, friends, and different educational resources. However, there are other concerns including distractions like games or social media, cyber bulling, and inappropriate content. It is very important to set clear rules and boundaries for cell phone usage and teaching these children how to be a responsible cell phone owner. Ultimately, it depends on the child's maturity and the parents opinions.
I would have to say that homeschooling is not as sufficient as regular schools. When a child is placed in home school they don't have the social interaction needed to develop social skills, make true friends that aren't online, and don't tend to get out much. Also, children tend to not do their work as much when not in a public setting. Although, homeschooling can be helpful in ways, it overall restricts a child from experiencing life the way other children typically would.
Low self-esteem can cause someone to struggle in sports, creating a cycle of doubt and failure. The APA (n.d.) says people with low self-esteem avoid challenges, which hurts their performance and confidence. An athlete who hesitates out of fear might make mistakes, reinforcing their self-doubt. They can break this cycle by setting small goals, using positive self-talk, and getting support from others.
No, children should not be separated based solely on IQ test scores. IQ tests measure only a limited range of cognitive abilities and do not fully represent a child's potential or learning style. Separating students based on these scores can lead to stigmatization and limit opportunities for those with lower scores (Feldman, 2018). A more holistic approach that considers diverse learning styles and individual strengths is essential for effective education. Furthermore, separating students based on IQ scores can create self-fulfilling prophecies, impacting a person's self-esteem and academic performance.
- In most classrooms I think there are. I believe this because when I was growing up, the boys were seen to be less involved and not the smartest. I also think teachers and parents have a lot to do with it too, by stereotyping. (Retelsdorf, Schwartz, & Asbrock, 2015)
I think that children under the age of 13 should have restricted access to the internet. “Influencers are all over the internet, and some will take advantage of their younger audience.” (Joel Nnkum). This quote from “The Central Trend” states a really good point that children are naive and can easily be taken advantage of. Therefore, children should have restricted access to certain things online.
I do not believe that we should separate children based off of their IQ scores, IQ scores are based off a child’s cognitive abilities, not based off of how fast the child learns or the potential the child has in life. Also, children learn from each other, so if a child is extremely smart but has a bad home life then it could alter how they learn. Lastly, separating children solely based off of their IQ scores could lead to less opportunities for those with lower scores, lack of individualized learning opportunities, and stereotypes set in place for the lower IQ individuals that they will always be less smart Han the children with the higher IQ’s.
Math as a whole is important, but the way it is taught can have a major outcome on student success. (Freitag et al., 2024) It is important to note that math facts are more about memorization, while conceptual math focuses more on the reasoning and understanding behind a mathematical equation. From my own personal experience, it is easier for me to retain information if I understand why I am doing it, instead of just using memorization. Therefore, I believe that conceptual math should be taught instead of math facts, as understanding "why" will provide students with an understanding, which will lead to higher student success rates.
Yes, children should be able to use the internet, but an adult should supervise it. The internet can be a great learning tool for young kids, such as apps Star Fall and abcya. Parents should make sure they can only access safe and age-appropriate content, and also have screen time limits.
Homeschooling can serve as an adequate replacement for a traditional school. It offers the advantage of a flexible schedule, a safe learning environment, and a method of learning based on the specific needs of the child being homeschooled. These benefits can prove to be very useful for students with special circumstances and quique needs. The pros to homeschool can only go so far as students may come across challenges like reliance on parental expertise, gaps in educational resources, and having limited social interaction. Ultimately, it is up to the student's guardian to decide whether homeschooling is best suitable to the child's needs.
Allowing children to have access to the internet can expose them to risks such as inappropriate content, negative influences, and bullying - more specifically, cyberbullying. Young children, still developing their sense of right and wrong, may struggle to navigate online interactions, potentially leading to issues like low self-esteem and a crowded mind. (StopBullying.gov2016) Although having internet access can teach a child a large amount of new information, the negative aspects, like a crowded mind distracting a child from school, certainly outweigh the pros.
There are positives and negatives of children having cell phones. A positive is that they can contact their parents if they need something. A negative however is that they could lose focus on other things outside of their phone.
There is some nuance with this controversy, as with all controversies, but I believe that up until a certain age children shouldn't be on the internet. There is a lot of media that could harm a growing mind and children could end up meeting strangers with nefarious intentions. But if a child's internet usage is monitored by a trusted parent, guardian, or adult, then I think it should be fine especially if the child is taught proper internet etiquette and safety.
The internet could be a great tool for learning and development for kids, but it can also lead to challenges for kids well-being. According to developmental psychology, the early years of a child's life are crucial for shaping cognitive, social, and emotional growth (Berk 2013). A lot of screen time or exposure to the internet can disrupt the phase of development. They could even be exposed to inappropriate images or videos on the internet. In my opinion, children should not have access to the internet without adult supervision.
children may inadvertely encounter violent, sexual, or otherwise harmful material online which can have lasting psychological effects. This may also cause anxiety, depression and signs of poor mental stability. Should children use the internet, are there ways to keep some sites unaccessible.
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2 replies
KW 
Last Children shouldn't have cell phones because they are freshly learning about what is right and wrong and they are easily influenced. When a child has a cell phone they are given access to every part of the internet. Cyber bullying can be seen where ever you go while browsing. When a kid sees all the hate, they don’t understand the harm of it. They could not only fall victim to cyber bullying but they could cyberbully someone else. When a child is being bullied online they tend to also be bullied in-person, be unwilling to go to school, have lower self-esteem and fall into bad habits (Stopbullying.gov,2016). So when a child is given a phone they could be at risk of experiencing this or causing it.
2 replies
KW
Last I believe that children should be permitted access to cell phones, but only if they seem to be mature enough to have one. According to a journal written by Twenge and Cambell on the impact of social media; excessive screen time can hinder social development and sleep. Although there are negative effects of having a cellular device, Twenge and Cambell also claim that they can improve certain communication skills and increase learning. Overall, I believe that a moderately mature child should be permitted to have a phone, but parental controls should be in place to certain extent. If a good balance between time on line and time in the real is created then it is perfectly okay of children to have cell phones.
Source:
Twenge, J.M. & Cambell, W.K.(2018). The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. Journal of Pediatrics, 142(5), 1-6.
Children's friendships differ from adult friendships by the trust factor. When children say they have a friend it is usually based on proximity such as school, neighbors, and other children they may be playing with (Rubin, 1980). The older you get the more you base your friendships off of trust and people that boost your self-esteem. They are similar in the way that you pick your friends based on someone who is loyal, trustworthy, and someone that accepts you for you. Selman found that in the Autonomous interdependence stage of friendships, children and adults learn to appreciate the differences between their friends and themselves (1980).
Homeschooling lacks the crucial social interaction that traditional schooling provides. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes the importance of social interaction for cognitive development. Traditional schools offer opportunities for children to engage with peers, participate in group activities, and develop essential social skills. Additionally, extracurricular activities in traditional schools enhance personal growth and social interaction. Therefore, traditional schooling is superior to homeschooling in fostering overall development and preparing children for real-world social demands.
These friendships do differ in many ways even down to the basis of the friendship. Children's intellectual skills chang over time and children of differing ages interpret the world differently. (Piaget, 1929) This affects how there friendships might look when compared to those of adults. Kids often form friendships based on shared activities like playing games or being in the same class while adults tend to form friendships based on common interests, values or life experiences. Along with this children have more free time to spend with their friends as adults are also trying to balance work and family which limits how much time is left to spend with friends. As well as being different, they are also similar in many ways as both relationships require trust and loyalty and are formed seeking emotion support.
Children should be allowed to use the Internet with proper supervision. The Internet can provide educational purposes and communication and help children develop digital literacy skills that are essential in the modern world. However, unsupervised Internet use can expose children to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and privacy risks (Livingstone & Helsper, 2007). Parents should implement parental controls, set screen time limits, and teach children about online safety. This way, children can benefit from the Internet while minimizing potential dangers.
Homeschooling is not an adequate replacement for traditional school because it does not allow social interaction. According to Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, social interaction is a crucial part of children's development and learning (1962). Homeschooling does not give enough social interaction to properly allow a child to develop good social understanding. Traditional school is the best path to choose because it allows children to develop successfully.
I think that children should not have cell phones. Feldman (2018) discuses how important it is for children to fully undergo the development stage of their childhood. With phones and technology, kids are glued to screens. Being glued to devices, they don't have time to live their life as a child. I think that around the age of 12 they should need them for safety and school travel
In my opinion, there is a major difference when it comes between males and females in a classroom setting. Based on my experiences, women are often told off based on clothing, such as tank tops and shorts, while men are able to wear the same thing without consequences. However, based on other research, it is stated that men are also called on more often than women when it comes to answering in-class questions. Teachers also tend to ask men more higher-order questions, give men more extensive feedback, and use longer wait-times for men. Based on the data stated, it seems that teachers fail to see raised hands of women and limit non-school related talk.
In my personal opinion I do not think we should separate children based on IQ score alone only because the IQ test do not allow children to show their full potential, leaving out skills like creativity or social ability. IQ scores can also be impacted based on things going on outside of a child's life such as family issues. I also think that separating kids based on their IQ is not effective because their perspective and minds can change or adapt depending on the situation in their lives. Children of differing ages interpret the world differently (Piaget, 1929).
No, I believe that there are many other ways to measure one's academic capabilities. Personally, I don't think a IQ test will accurately detect an individual's intellect. However, I do believe that there should be a sort of divide between exceptionally bright and somewhat slower learners. Surrounding intelligent students around others similar to that, could benefit the effect of a stronger, and more effective program within a group. Although, I can detest that being around those of low intellect is sometimes a great benefit for me as there is some aspects I still lack in. I learn from myself and others helping those around me.
I think children should be able to get a cell phone based on their age and how mature they are. If a child does get a cell phone I think it is important for parents to set guidelines and monitor the child, to make sure they are reliable and not doing anything bad. Feldman (2018) discussed the importance of understanding developmental stages in children, which can help guide this decision. Overall this is a parents call, but I think that if the child is very mature then they should be able to have a cell phone.
I do not believe children should have access to the internet. There are too many harmful things they could see and it is just all around unsafe. Children are naive and vulnerable and would not know if something was bad or not. Statistics say that a large percentage of crimes involving children stem from the internet.
Children's friendships are often based on several factors: shared activities, inclusivity, positivity, and connection. Childhood friendships depend on the periodicity of quality time, making school and neighboring a crucial factor; since most children often see their friends during the school year, it makes it easier for low-effort friendships. In contrast, adults mostly rely on values, influences, and beliefs; for example, if two friends differ in religious beliefs and values, it will most likely crush the relationship. Although the definition of friends changes as you grow up, no age wants a friend that is cruel to them and consistently hurts them.
The Evolution of Friendship Across Different Life Stages (Rao, 2024)
No, I believe children should not have a cellphone. I think age 10 is a reasonable age to have a phone. However I think there should be restrictions on the phone. When a child gets a phone, they often lose touch with the outside world. They don't play outside as much, they lose touch with reality. I think it harms them in more ways than it helps them.