Pushing for Superchild

I am pleased to see articles such as “Superchildren--Pushed Too Far for Their Own Good?” (by Kathy Seal, Nov. 20). As a former primary teacher and elementary principal, I know how detrimental it can be for a child to be pushed too hard too soon.

As the principal of a developmental kindergarten school with an enrollment of 435 students, I have had the good fortune to experience the success of a developmental approach to learning. Although it is still too early to know the long-range effects of our program, I am confident that the majority of our children feel good about themselves, are successful in the curriculum that has been designed for them and enjoy coming to school.

If we are ever to have an impact on the rising number of students who drop out, commit suicide or choose unacceptable alternatives to school, we must begin to look at and implement interventions throughout our educational system that will guarantee the feeling of success within our youth.

CYNTHIA CERVANTES McGUIRE

Principal, Longfellow School

Azusa Unified School District

Azusa