Spheres of Influence

Parents do not need to be eggheads, but they do require the kind of wisdom that is to be found in this book. Spheres of Influence is a practical approach to rearing and education. It stresses the role of the savvy parent, who is even more important than the teacher in the life of a student. With a long career in education behind him, the writer examines the relationship between home and school in today’s world. Trends that are evident in society are indentified. The school system has become very "consumer" based and exam slanted. The antidote, the writer says, is the building of character in students, for such an approach would enhance the results of education. This is an aspect of rearing children that has been neglected in the rush for paper qualifications. On that basis alone the book deserves a read. Parents must recognise their own values and their worth in the rearing and education process. The home is the natural arena for creating attitudes and values. It is where the moral base is laid for their growing children. The school is the engine room for formal education. Together parent and teacher can become a powerful influence in the lives of the young ones they deal with. The trick is to harmonise the two spheres of influence so that they can take the greatest effect. Each chapter has a section at the end where the ideas are presented again in a short form for reflection and consideration. Spheres of Influence runs to 55,000 words