Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Have you noticed that you learn about everybody else except yourself in school? In school, the main characters are in literature, history, sciences and other remote places. Even in high school, you may have home economics, the arts, sports, music - maybe - but little of yourself. Kids complain, too, that they see little of themselves in school. Their evaluations of teachers and how they are taught are quite consistent: they can recognize ineffective teaching and learn little about their own interests.
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| Learning about Self |
Stephen Rollin EdD was dumbfounded that during discussions of the future of education at the National Research Council in 2003 there was no mention of psychology or mental health. Then, for 10 years his programs addressed the needs of teachers. The proposal of the APA for Teaching of High School Psychology concerns theory, science, biopsychology, development, cognition, sociocultural, some motivation, emotion, and personality and a bit on careers in psychology. This is a college curriculum. In the wake of 2013 shootings, the APA Council of Representatives voted to focus on the education of psychologists, advocacy to policy makers, communications, and more study.
Where do young people learn about their developing interests, emotions, relationships, friends, beliefs, how to study, mentoring, getting enough sleep, a healthy body, healthy foods, bullying, the world of work, addictions, careers, applying for college...? TV is toxic or irrelevant; parents often don't have time; and friends can mislead.
Then again, some things work famously. Geller (2013) developed lesson plans for cooperation, courage, compassion and coaching in which high school students coach middle school kids. Just a conscious effort to observe and record bullying in 2 elementary schools reduced bullying by 50%. The documentary "Against All Odds" shows how character-building, mentoring, cooperative study, and a year-long course for entry into college (and more) led to over 90% admissions into college in 3 poor, deprived community high schools. And they were already 2-3 grades behind as freshmen.Imagine the curiosity children have in their vital interests, their relationships, their friends, their emotions, their future?
Beyond schools, I imagine a public service TV channel called "Personal growth" just for teens and pre-teens. Real life drama, biographies and learning sets about relationships, feelings, health, play, the world of work, studying, handling your money, finding your true interests, and much more. Parents would watch it, too, and find a bit of what they were missing!
Anyone up to it? There has to be someone, somewhere...
About Dr. Raynard
Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.
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