CRIB NOTES: Coloring Outside the Lines by Roger Schank

This book was about:

Raising smarter kids. Schank is a "learning expert" who argues that our school system fails to instill true learning (especially a love of learning) in our children. He offers parents advice on how to teach their children traits he feels lead to a successful life. He says schools do not teach these traits, and often discourage their development. His "Six Traits to a Smarter Kid" include: verbal ability, creativity, ability to analyze, gumption, ambition and inquisitiveness.

I like these things about the book:

*I like how he stresses that a parent is a child's best teacher. This part of the book really made me feel good about my choice of being a SAHM, and that I can really make a difference in my child's development if I put forth the effort.

* I like that he encourages parents to help their children find their true passions from a young age, even if these "passions" may be a little unusual or looked down upon. He gives the example of the kid who is in love with video games who grows up to be a standout computer engineer. His own son was fascinated by subways and transportation, which eventually led to a career in urban planning.

I buy into this approach, although it goes against my own choices and upbringing. I was very "well rounded." I played the piano (pretty well), I played a variety of sports (pretty well), I was equally "above average" in my English and my math classes. In fact there is little that I don't know how to do....but not very much that I am REALLY gifted at. After my well-rounded college experience, I struggled with what to do next....and in many ways I am still trying to figure out what I should do with the rest of my life.

My DH specialized. He has worked on a school newspaper since middle school. That was his focus through high school and college, and his academics always came secondary. And it has paid off well for him in that he enjoys a career where his talents and passions come together.

*I like his advice and suggestions which are simple and specific. For example, to help your child become analytical, he says to put them in complicated (yet age- appropriate)situations and ask them to reason their way out. Schank gave the example of letting his older son loose on the Paris Metro and telling him how to figure out how to get around the city. For a younger child, you might ask them to draw pictures that show how and why dinosaurs became extinct. The idea is to drive kids to ask questions, make assumptions and test theories.


I don't like these things about the book:

*Although I agree with most of his criticisms about schools, I still think the very best teachers do instill creativity, inquisitiveness, etc. in their students. I don't think all teachers expect their students to conform, and they do encourage questions and exploration of ideas. However, some degree of conformity and structure is inheritely necessary in a classroom or else chaos would ensue.

*One of his suggestions to raising a verbal child is to never hire a caregiver if his/her English is poor. I found this borderline racist/classist. I agree that strong verbal skills are important in life, but I don't think a caregiver with an accent is going to set back a child in life.

*He uses his own children as examples through the book. His antecdotes get a little hard to swallow because he is always the "all-knowing parent" and his children (at least in the book) never misstep or fail (unless he deliberately wants them to experience expectation failure).


Recommend or not?

I do recommend this book. Especially if you are looking to fill the "gaps" in your child's formal education. And especially if you fear your child is getting bored in school or losing his/her love of learning. It is a fast read and Schank keeps it interesting.

I am shifting my mindset about what constitutes a successful learning experience for my kids. It no longer involves keeping their schedules packed full of as many activities as the day will allow, but rather giving them "kid time" to think, explore, play. It no longer relies almost entirely on their teacher and the school system for learning, but rather on myself and my husband to provide real-life learning experiences. And I think I will be ok if I never get to put on a "My child is a honor student at...." bumper sticker on the old minivan.....as long as they are learning and loving it.

I would love to hear other opinions about this book....or its ideas.....preferrably before I drink the entire pitcher of koolaid and join this "anti-honor roll" cult.

What are Crib Notes?