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[quote]
A slower approach is not necessarily a worse approach. Of course things have changed since then. But I still feel instinctively that there is no need to be in such a hurry. One can take their time and end up knowing everything one needs to know to be succcessful.
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This reminds me of my #1's kindergarten teacher who told us parents that learning to read was like a flower blooming. It will happen, just stand back and watch the beauty. And, of course, practically every kid in his little high-powered group was reading at the same level by 3rd grade! And I worried so much that he was not reading in K like some of his peers (all gifted kids in some manner or other). Now, he's a lawyer. Ah, the benefit of hindsight. I guess I didn't damage him by making him do the Cat, Hat, Bat phonics when he wasn't the least bit interested.</p>
<p>Back to the OP: My "never had a B in her life" kid, has had many in college, along with a (horrors) C at her selective, reachy LAC. At the end of each year, they have a ceremony recognizing the top 10% in each class of about 480 kids. The first year she said it felt really weird not to be on such a list anymore. She got over it. In fact, in her major and with her school's reputation, there are seniors with 3.3 and 3.4 gpa weighing acceptances to top chem Phd programs (Berkeley, CalTech, Princeton, UNC, Washington and others).</p>