My grandfather – or Gramps as we loved to call him – lived to the age of 97. He went to his grave feeling that he had failed, that he wasn’t literate, and that he hadn’t kept up with change. But Gramps’ achievements were not measured by tertiary qualifications or preparation for life in the 20th century.
He dropped out of school in the second grade, to bring in an income to help the family. He lived through a number of wars, the Great Depression, the introduction of television, the first landing on the moon, and the invention of the mobile phone. He raised four beautiful children, and was known as Gramps to 14 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Gramps’ name appears in an historical publication of Carlton and United Breweries. He was a non-drinker, but he was one of the first men in Australia to drive a truck, rather than a horse and cart, to deliver beer. He served during World War II, repairing aircraft in Papua New Guinea, and later he was chief gardener for his local council – a role that required him to drive a tractor.
We should keep in mind, though, that innovation and change have been rolling through human history since the time of the hunters and gatherers.
In 2002, just before his passing, UNESCO delivered a new statement on literacy: ‘Literacy is crucial to the acquisition, by every child, youth and adult, of essential life skills that enable them to address the challenges they can face in life, and represents an essential step in basic education, which is an indispensable means for effective participation in the societies and economies of the twenty-first century.’
My Gramps lived a full and rich life. He embraced technology and change. By any definition, he was a literate man. His life epitomised the 2002 UNESCO vision.
As your child’s school career continues, technology will evolve, and schools will be challenged, and seduced, by computer coding, new reforms and research opportunities. We should keep in mind, though, that innovation and change have been rolling through human history since the time of the hunters and gatherers. We must make sure that the seductive call of technology does not tempt us away from other necessary skill sets. Their loss would be too great an expense to the community.
As your child’s school career continues, technology will evolve, and schools will be challenged, and seduced, by computer coding, new reforms and research opportunities.
And neither should we forget that the best way to help our children acquire a love of the English language, and build vocabulary, is through conversation. Face to face, eye to eye interaction is the most powerful method of all. Replace television with conversation, smartphones with books, and encourage pen and paper rather than computers. Talk to your children often and leave the formalities of becoming literate to the professionals.
Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Lacey All rights reserved.
Parent, educationist and advocate of agitating change in Australian education. By raising the bar we can face any global challenges facing Australia and Australians.
Contact me at cheryl@cheryllacey.com to learn how we can work together.
