Customer Reviews

What Really Happens in School: A Guide to Your Child's Emotional, Social, and Intellectual Development, Grades K-5

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4 star:		(1)
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While I have read many parenting articles and several books since my eldest child was born seven years ago, I've not found any material as valuable as this book. LaForge provides a very accurate (based on my experiences to date) picture of what kids learn in grades K through 5, as well as an on-target portrayal of how they act and what their concerns are. The balance of parent and expert comments is perfect and the way the book is structured makes it very reader-friendly. This was well worth the investment and I know it will be a help as my sons move through the school system.

As the father of a three-and-a-half year old daughter, I became curious about what awaited her in a little over a year to come. Having been a child myself, don't you know, I thought it would all seem familiar, especially since I'd taught reading classes to elementary school kids for several years. I have to admit I was more than a little surprised and shocked at the changes that have taken place since I was in elementary school in the late sixties and early seventies. My overall impression is that teachers are pushing the kids way too far, and way too fast. When I read that some fifth-grade teachers are actually requiring 5-12 page research papers, I knew something was wrong. As a reading teacher, I was also dismayed at the intense push to begin reading in kindergarten, at a time when many children's brains are simply physically incapable of reading. We need to go back to starting in first grade when almost all kids are mentally ready, and then just reinforce basic skills and the joy of reading with passionate intensity for the first three years. However, none of that has to do with the quality of this book; indeed, Ann Laforge has simply alerted me to make my own preparations for how my daughter, and my unborn son, will deal with elementary school as it is being taught today. I'm very glad I read this book, if only for the fact that it woke me up to how much parenting itself has changed since I was a kid: I still can't help but laugh whenever I hear the phrase "play date"; I realize that we often don't live in the old neighborhoods jammed full of kids, but when did it become necessary to schedule our kids' playtime, for pity's sake? All this obsession with pushing and pushing our kids into regimented activities just scares the hell out of me. On the other hand, parents who provide no guidance or structure at all scare me even more. LaForge provides a guide to the middle ground of moderation, and I'm grateful.

This book, while not filled with new and ground-breaking information, does provide parents with important information about what lies ahead for their children during their elementary school years.

As a mother of two children in this age group, I have done a lot of work discovering on my own much of the information in this book. I only wish someone had given me this book when my eldest turned three! So for me, some of this information was redundant, but for a new parent this would be a great gift.

The book is organized well, with each grade having its own chapter. Each chapter includes an overview of the grade, a description of a typical child of that particular year, what each year should know when entering school, what will typically be covered during that year, the most important subject that year, and so on. Most importantly, the book gives a parent an idea of what to expect, within the limits of regional and school-type boundaries, from a given year.

All in all this book is worth having, especially for those whose children are making the transition from home or preschool to more formal education.

As any parent you wonder what school is like in this day and age. This book is wonderfully written, and it "really" makes us aware of what happens in our schools. Furthermore it tell us what children are learning from K-5. I hope that parents all over the nation have a chance to read this very informative book, and enjoy what Ms. La Forge has brilliantly written.

This book is the first book Ive read that really helps parents with there school answers. It is like a Dr. Spock book for parents of school children Well written and very informative I heartily recomend it.

This book contains indepth, crucial information for any parent who's ever been concerned about what their children are really going through once they're off to school. LaForge divides her book into easy-to-read grade by grade sections. It's jam-packed with details that illuminate a child's inner life. As far as I know, there is no other book like this on the market. I also read LaForge's other book TANTRUMS. Both are incredibly insightful, easy-to-read books which reveal vital information about children.

I guess if you've never set foot in your child's school, or talked to teachers or talked with your child about school, this might be helpful. But, if you've done any of the above, you aren't likely to learn much from this book. I was hoping to get some fresh insight into how to help my daughter, but there was nothing in it that 98 percent of concerned parents don't already know.