4th graders who flunk reading have faces marked

[yardwork]

46. I was slow in math but quick to learn reading.

I still remember how uncomfortable I felt in elementary school when the children who were not as good at reading had to read out loud. I felt worse for them than I felt for myself when I did poorly at the "game" the teacher made us play that showed off the children who were good at arithmetic.

It's not a good idea to make learning into a competitive game. Some people pick up reading and writing quickly, as I did. Others are math whizzes at a young age. These are natural gifts, encouraged by parents who have the education and leisure to help their children. Not being quick at learning should never, ever be punished. It's not something that the child is doing on purpose. It has nothing to do with poor discipline or not trying hard enough. Children need to be allowed to learn at their own paces.

I did eventually learn math.