Exhausted 6,7 and 8 year olds

[ChristmasCarol]

Well here we go with the "no child left behind,  test til you drop" administration.  Anybody else finding their young students mentally pushed to the max?  8 year olds with one hour of homework?  I'm having to spend more and more of the lesson on discussion of a philosophy of motivation from desire and choice rather than fear.  I hate it.   The pressure is way too much.  7 year olds have spelling tests every week with words like - no kidding - metamorphasis, serendipity, etc.  8 year olds are learning geometry.  What's the darn hurry?  When will they learn the all important skills of knowing themselves, hearing their own inner voice, loving themselves?  Am I alone in believing that we are screwing up another generation of children?  Play is such an important time for children to work their way into society.  But when the heck do they get to do it?  Speaking with students about the best time of day to practice piano brings a cloud over their face.  They do not have any down time whatsoever.  aaaaaaaaack!

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

I have often wondered this too. They are trying to teach these kids more than they're capable of. For instance, I know 5th grade students who are being taught trigonometry!