There is a theory that much of human learning takes place
through imitation. In a great many eleven plus situations children will learn
to solve a problem –not by being original or highly creative in their thinking –
but by imitating someone who can solve the problem
When the eleven plus child writes an answer to a question he
or she has often learnt how to cope with the topic in the company of others.
Few eleven plus children will learn by being sent to their room to study a
topic and then be expected to be able to apply this to an eleven plus question.
We hope that eleven plus children will imitate the work and
actions of good role models. We saw in the recent riots that even very bright
young people will imitate each other. When mob hysteria strikes, then people
can be urged to commit horrendous crimes.
Who does the eleven plus child imitate if he or she is faced
by a challenging question? We could look, for example, at a question that we hope
will never come up in an eleven plus examination.
A certain number of
pence is being shared among some children. If they have eleven pence each there
are three pence left over. But three pence more are needed if they are to have
twelve pence each. How much money is being shared, and how many children are
sharing it?
When mum or dad is called to the table to help to solve a challenging
question their eleven plus child may well be watching their demeanour and
conduct with great interest. If possible parents should not show fear or trepidation
but should read the question twice and then murmur quietly and confidently: “69p
and 6 children.”
Their child will look up in awe and ask: “How did you do
that?”
This is where an excuse to run and see to the rest of the
family may be appropriate.
