A parent recounts their shock when their child’s kindergarten experience included enforced silent lunches at a top-rated North Carolina public school. The policy aimed to maximise academic time but overlooked the emotional toll on young children. The parent questions the trade-off between academic achievement and social development, highlighting the detrimental effects of silent lunches on children’s well-being. They advocate for prioritising social connection and emotional growth in schools, emphasising the importance of communal mealtime as a space for nurturing relationships and fostering empathy. The parent urges a shift in priorities towards holistic education, where success is measured not just by academic metrics but by the overall well-being of students.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/04/silent-school-lunch-kids-mental-health
