As a child, my mother has a vivid memory of her experiences in first grade in Montreal. At just six years old, she would make the solo trek to school each day. On occasions when she found herself running late, she devised a clever plan: she would take a shortcut through St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. This way, when the nuns reprimanded her for tardiness, she could honestly claim she had been at church. They would let her off the hook.
She also reminisced about a classmate who frequently got sent home for misbehavior. Rather than face her parents, she would catch a ride with the milkman and spend the day joyriding around town. Sounds perfectly safe, right?
I was reminded of these tales after reading a thought-provoking piece in Slate about a checklist from 1979 designed for six-year-olds preparing for school. Many items on the list still hold relevance today, such as:
- Can your child clearly state their address to a crossing guard or police officer?
- Can they color within the lines of a drawing?
- Can they balance on one foot with their eyes closed for five to ten seconds?
However, one question stands out as highly controversial in today’s world: Can they navigate the neighborhood alone (four to eight blocks) to a store, school, playground, or a friend’s house? This inquiry essentially sparked the Free Range Kids movement in the U.S., leading to discussions about the safety and independence of children.
KJ Antonia from Slate remarked on how much societal perceptions have shifted over the past few decades. The 1979 first grader, who was expected to be six years and six months old and have a few permanent or secondary teeth, would be deemed more than ready for preschool today. In terms of life skills, she’d likely be riding her bicycle unassisted and finding her way home without adult supervision.
Have our cities changed so drastically? Are we simply more aware of potential dangers now, or have we collectively lost our minds?
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In summary, while the expectations for six-year-olds have evolved, the essence of preparing children for independence and responsibility remains vital.
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