The children monitored were between five and twelve. Various attributes and failings were monitored, including how well they worked on their own or in groups, their self-control and self-confidence, and their ability to follow instructions. Dr Pagani maintains that for a child the classroom is their workplace and it mirrors their likely productive, task oriented behaviour in the future.
It was found that those with good levels of attention in class were more likely to develop the work orientated behaviour needed to succeed in the future.
More worryingly, those with attention problems at a young age were far more likely to become school drop-outs and struggle with employment and substance abuse.
Whether a child displayed one or other type of the traits, the research confirmed those traits continued as the child progressed through school and it is suggested he or she will carry them into adult life to their benefit or detriment, as the case may be.
For me, this raises some significant aspects for parents and grand-parents. I still have not found any convincing proof that says how a child is at five, eight or twelve is how they were when they were born. Instead there is damning evidence that where a child is mixed up or is not able to concentrate, work with other pupils or follow instructions, it stems from short-comings in their home life – not from school.
Patterns like these so often are adopted well before school years.
Does this mean that the parents involved are intent on committing their child to failure and ruin? In most cases , no way! Could it mean then, that if both are working or leading busy lives in ways that offer little structure or direction for a child to emulate, then it’s a problem for the child in the making? I fear it does.
In the fast moving and sophisticated world in which we live, with its many temptations and diversions, it is clear beyond doubt, that children cannot simply bring themselves up effectively in their early years. Nor can they make their own mature judgements. Instead they follow examples, they reflect, they copy. Worse in ignorance, they can form patterns of behaviour which help them short-term but can be lethal if adopted as a permanent behaviour.
For parents these days, it is an unrelenting challenge. Getting the balance right can seem impossible. Yet the payoff for children to follow good example becomes ever more clear, whether that example comes from parents, older siblings or grand-parents.
And there is no doubt that we reap what we sew.
Gerry Neale
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