Author Topic: Something parents should know. (Read 1249 times)

crossbro · « **on:** May 21, 2014, 12:35:46 AM »

There was a test done back in the 1970s at Stanford University.

LINK

The test involved four year olds.

The kids were given psychological exams and physical exams, logic tests, and IQ tests.

It did not matter how the kids scored on IQ or any other test on how their lives were later rated for success.

The success in life for the kids could be predicted best by the "marshmallow test".

They would take the kid and have him sit in a room with a plate with a marshmallow on it.

The child was told he/she could eat the marshmallow if they wanted too...

... or if they waited they could have 2 marshmallows (a reward).

The child waited with the marshmallow for 15 minutes.

A minority of the kids had the self-discipline not to eat the treat. These kids were later found to have the highest SAT scores, GPA and the healthiest later in life regardless of IQ or other measurements.

One of the most important traits you can try to instill in your children is self-discipline.

I learned of this from a book I am listening to called "The Power of Habit". A good read.

crossbro · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2014, 12:56:56 AM »

One thing to note is that the kids who waited and did not eat the marshmallow were not born with a special ability. The kids used techniques of engaging in distractions such as turning their back to the marshmallow. They knew how to control the urge eat.

shin · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2014, 02:00:52 AM »

Looks like a little a sign of the importance of training your children in virtue from the beginning.

soulguard · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2014, 12:10:32 PM »

we can learn from this.

SenzaDubbio · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2014, 12:46:23 PM »

I would image is much better to read spiritual books to form the mind than junk of the secular world?

wallflower · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2014, 01:29:21 PM »

Quote from: shin

Looks like a little a sign of the importance of training your children in virtue from the beginning.

I agree! We've been consciously using the names of virtues with our kids rather than the generic "nice" or "good". I'm hoping it will make them more in tune with those virtues and how/when to practice them.

SenzaDubbio, I think there's room for *some* of the "junk of the secular world". If it's got any truth to it, all it will do is reinforce what we already know in the spiritual world. Take The Power of Habit, I haven't read it but the title alone reinforces what we already know about the power of virtue and vice. But hearing it from a different angle or in "layman's terms" and seeing examples that prove it even in the secular world can be helpful. The spiritual world is often hard for us to see but concrete examples from the secular world can help us bridge that gap.

Don't get me wrong, there is a ton of junk out there! But it's worth sifting through for the good ones because we tend to need both.

shin · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2014, 01:37:04 PM »

Quote from: wallflower

Quote from: shin
Looks like a little a sign of the importance of training your children in virtue from the beginning.

I agree! We've been consciously using the names of virtues with our kids rather than the generic "nice" or "good". I'm hoping it will make them more in tune with those virtues and how/when to practice them.

Great to hear!

Have you read the life of Ven. Anne de Guigne? It's a Tan Book. I've always thought it a splendid example of how children can be little saints. Really a model of virtue for adults too.

shin · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2014, 01:38:53 PM »

Quote from: crossbro

One thing to note is that the kids who waited and did not eat the marshmallow were not born with a special ability. The kids used techniques of engaging in distractions such as turning their back to the marshmallow. They knew how to control the urge eat.

A very good lesson to remember.. . .

soulguard · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2014, 02:26:53 PM »

Quote from: SenzaDubbio

I would image is much better to read spiritual books to form the mind than junk of the secular world?

Is the logic not the same?
Are we not all like children in front of a marshmellow in times of temptation?

SenzaDubbio · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2014, 11:43:32 AM »

These books teach man how to try and attain things without God, while the books written by the Saints teach us that we can attain nothing without God.

And what's wrong with a marshmallow? What if I only wanted one marshmallow?! :)

crossbro · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2014, 10:19:03 PM »

Quote from: SenzaDubbio

These books teach man how to try and attain things without God, while the books written by the Saints teach us that we can attain nothing without God.

And what's wrong with a marshmallow? What if I only wanted one marshmallow?! :)

Sit a 4 year old with a plate with a marshmallow on it for 15 minutes and tell him he can eat it if he wants too or wait and get two of them.

It is a very special little tyke who can do it.

I will admit it, if I was the kid that marshmallow would have been gone before that door closed.

I do not understand why you feel so threatened by the marshmallow test or what this has to do with saints. I really do not think St Miguel Pro could have past the marshmallow test.