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23rd February 2012

55 notes

All learning is good learning?

Someone commented along the lines of-

“Is learning Russian a good idea when what Jacket really needs is better English skills?  How useful is Russian and will the language skills be sustained past preschool?”

I know I sound ditzy most of the time on this blog, and I’m insecure about a lot of my decisions in regards to Jacket’s life, but being a cognitive psychologist and all- I actually have a lot of opinions on this matter. 

In short, no- I don’t expect Jacket to be a fluent Russian speaker in adulthood as a result of a (once a week) preschool immersion.  That isn’t the goal.  Instead, I think (and have read) that most novel experiences at Jacket’s age increase neural pathway growth and decrease better optimize synaptic pruning.  That’s what is important to me and my personal goals for Jacket’s brain.  Basket-weaving, pole-vaulting, chess, Russian, Pig-Latin, armhair braiding, Calculus, fossil identification, or my personal favorite 3-hole punching mechanics… it doesn’t fucking matter.  All learning is good learning.

And Jacket’s mom is in.  Russian preschool here she comes!

ADDED NOTE: and of course, nothing in fosterhood is permanent.  Russian preschool may only last a few weeks- who knows? 

Tagged: jacketpost-reunificationpreschooldaycare

  1. gracelandmomma said: When my daughter was that age I exposed to her as much as I could. How else do they figure out what they might like or what they have a talent for.
  2. stillwishingforfaries said: I agree, all learning is good. It may spark something later on in life such as a desire to travel and even if she just sings some cute songs…that’s great too.
  3. lovelyjenny said: heck yes!
  4. stayathomemommy said: Are you serious? I think you sound like an intelligent, thoughtful woman. Never ditzy.
  5. anniehinton said: A+ response. She’s not going to forget how to speak English just by speaking Russian once a week. No one would.
  6. colleendeezy said: I’m down for that, but the school itself sounds super-intense, almost to the point of not being developmentally appropriate? I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but the whole “she’s here to learn!” thing sounds pretty rigid.
  7. emilygould said: it’s good to know this preschool exists because obviously I am sending my (hypothetical) child there, so s/he doesn’t get mocked relentlessly by his/her cousins. Who I happen to know are mad condescending to non-Russian speakers ie me.
  8. fosterhood posted this
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