Chapter six of the Longevity Project explores the effect of early childhood and education on one’s longevity. Terman’s study reinforced the psychology that adequate and rich play-time was essential for growing children, especially in the early stages of their life, in order to promote healthy brain development. Kids who were observed with the least play-time were also the one who had started school earlier or skipped a year. Often it was found that children who enter formal schooling earlier than their peers tended to have more difficulties later in life and were generally less well-adjusted adults.
My schooling was a natural progression – I did not fall behind but I also did not skip years. However, I did take certain courses and were taught certain academics outside of the class that were above my level at the time, predominately throughout elementary and middle school (where my parents were the most helicopter-like in terms of schooling). Although it is not the same as truly skipping a year, I’m curious if those experiences can contribute to the aforementioned effects.
My close friend that I have known for over a decade is actually a year older but we are in the same grade level due to her being left back one year in elementary school. Terman’s study discussed the caveats of sending your children into formal schooling early or skipping a year, but he does not discuss the topic of children who were left back a year. While this is anecdotal, my friend is now a fairly-well adjusted adult who is well into her studies at NYU – she seems happy despite the initial setback and additional academic handicaps. Because she is still young, it is hard to determine the effects of this on longevity but it just had me thinking about how all these small details will accumulate into our ‘life portfolio’.
I agree that playtime is crucial in the early stages of life, especially since the children are entering a new environment for first time and they need to build the skills to have healthy social relationships with their peers. I also thought it was interesting that the Terman participants didn’t have anyone who was held back, but also, the Terman participants are selected based on their abilities, so I am also not surprised that they wouldn’t find anyone who was held back. I relate to your close friend since in my blog post for chapter 6, I talked about my friend who skipped every odd grade and still managed to do well. Everyone comes from different places, and there are so many factors to consider when looking into longevity and wellbeing.