Let children learn to judge their own work. A child doesn ’ t learn to talk by being corrected all the time. If he is corrected too much, he will stop talking. He notices a thousand times a day the differences between the language he uses and the language others use. Little by little, he makes the necessary changes to make his language like other people ’ s. In the same way, children learn to do all the other things without being taught—to walk, run, climb or ride a bicycle. They compare their performances with those of more skilled people, and slowly make the changes. But in school we never give a child a chance to find out his mistakes and correct them himself. We do it all for him. We thought that he would never notice a mistake unless it was pointed out to him, or correct it unless he has been made to. Soon he becomes dependent on the teacher. Let him work out with the help of other children if he want s it. If it is a matter in math or science, give him the answer book. Let him correct his own papers. Why _ should _ we _ teachers _ waste _ time _ on _ such _ daily _ work? Our job should be to help the children when they tell us that he can ’ t find the way to get the right answer. Let the children learn what all educated persons must learn, how to measure ( 估量 ) their own understanding, how to know what they know or do not know. Let them get on with this job in their ways. School teachers can offer help if they as k for it. Some parents and teachers are worried that the children might fail to learn something that they will need to get in the world. Don ’ t worry! If it is important, they will go out into the world and learn it.