Is it possible to predict how a child will turn out?

I think a general idea of how a child will turn out is possible but c@ca happens in life and that of course will be a factor too..I guess I never thought one could determine something like that during the first meeting though..Of course her working with kids every day etc I guess was a big help..I just need to see how a child interacts with others (not just other kids but adults too since thats key as well) to get a pretty accurate idea of whats in store for them..Like I said though, c@c@ happens in life that can change the course quite drastically

I don't really believe that one can predict a childs future just by seeing his behaviour in a day.It is hard to believe for me.

I don't think you can make such a generalized statement. By 1st day of school I am thinking you mean Kindergarten?! So many things can happen to children along the way, most of which they have no control over. I have known kids to act out in school & still become productive citizens. I have also known people to be model students & grow up to be prisioners & have no ambition in life.

I think that does not hold true all the time. It is unfair to judge a child and his future basing only on how he/she behaved on the first day in school. My parents are both retired elementary school teachers and sometimes I heard them saying that 'I didn't expect that student of mine who was so mean before will be so successful this far. Or that student was very quiet and kind when he was in my class, but now he was in so much trouble'. You see, there are many instances and happenings in life that influence the child as he grows old, so we can't really tell how he will turn out.

No I do not believe this to be true as my own brother was so naughty when he was little and very disruptive throughout his school time, a bit wild as a teenager but once he started work he knuckled down has never done anything wrong is happily married extremely hardworking, doesn't drink or smoke and is a wonderful father to his son who in fact has asperges, perhaps that is what he had as achild and he is an exception the the rule. A lot of guys that end up in prison in this way are led into it in their younger years ppossibly due to home circumstances and the crowd they run around with. I would agree with you and your mum though that some are plain bad from the start. A very interesting question. Ellie :D

well although upbring matters, it really boils down to genetics, ideals, violent tendencies, empathy - all relies in the parents' genes. it is a surprise indeed when i first read this, but it is true, there is a research about this. quit remarkable what simple letter combination of genetic codes can really mean to a person

Well I would not like to argue with teachers for they sure have their own way of explaining things, but I don’t think I could predict even now, how my son will turn out to be. Oh I know he will be sure to have his manners, to follow certain values and principles which I am instilling in him day in day out, but otherwise I have little control over his thought processes which are becoming more and complicated as he is growing. As his awareness about his immediate environment increases, so does his response to them, his instant reaction to a certain situation, his evaluation of people and friends. The shy child who refused to utter a word on his first day at school, has become a garrulous boy today and down the years, he is sure to change further. I hope and expect him to conduct himself within certain parameters but apart from that, I cannot predict how he will turn out as an adult.

yup, im agree with your mom, i have same view like here, that what they say you can seeif the person is true by thier eyes.if they are telling the truth or lying.

I have to disagree. I had a shop teacher that told me I'd never be able to build anything. I now have a degree in drafting & engineering. I'm also an old style craftsman making almost anything I can see or think of without any real training. His accessment was totally wrong.

Although I think I get what your mom meant; I'm sure as an experienced school teacher she did see that kids who acted a certain way would continue & grow into acting other ways. But with predictions like this there's also the concept of "self-fulfilling prophecy" to consider. If I expect a kid to act a certain way, I will (whether I realize it or not) treat a kid a certain way that's more likely to push him in that direction. With children, their future is still in their hands, no matter where they came from or what negative behaviors they may have. My son has had some friends over the years that seemed destined for jail time, or other less than great lives; as adults now some have indeed gone that way, but some have corrected themselves & done well. I like to think I made a little difference in some of their lives. If I had just accepted that this kid is destined for trouble when I first met them, I wouldn't have put any energy into doing anything for them.

I don't have a deterministic views, so sad i don't have a talent like that. But i got curious is it really true you can determine how a child will turn out on the first day of school?Like me, i was so loud and cheerful like what my mom had said ,can you predict what will i be right now? Thanks.

I am sorry to say, I don't agree with your mom (RIP). I do think someone's personality can help shape or change the path they take tho. But life happens and two people going thru the same thing will usually handle it differently.

I dont think thats the way it is. I think the events in a persons life determine more the way they will turn out. I would like to understand where your mother is coming from better but its not very descriptive your topic so maybe if she explained it to me then I would understand it in a differnt way that would seem more likely to be correct.

I can see how your mother's theory could be very true. I can look back at many people I went to school with, even back as far as kindergarten, and I can honestly say that most everyone turned out like I figured they would. I'm not sure if I could be so certain after only a one day exposure to any child, that I could properly assess how they'd turn out. I have to admit, I have fun with it with my 3 boys. I am trying to figure out who's going to be doing what later in life, who might be gay, who will be the tallest, the most well spoken, the jock, the troublemaker, etc. Not that any of that matters, but I obviously have far too much time on my hands.

No I think that how a child will grow up to be depends very much on his bringing up and his influences and the values of those he is frequently around. on the first day of school, the child is still young can there is plenty of time for his mindset and behaviour to be moulded.

My first day of school, I cried and wanted my mother the whole day. what does that say about me?? Maybe most c hildren are predictable but all are not.

Nope! Hey you know, people can act kinda dumb once in a while, but that doesn't mean that we're gonna be that way forever. Just depends, really. So, first impressions do alot, but not all the time. I believe, that people can change for the better, cause I've seen it. :o)

well you observe you kids and you will see what they can possibly do in the future. It is how the kids behave.

maybe sometimes but not all the time. i have a cousin who is very stubborn when he was a child. during his elementary days, he often get involved into violent activities. twice kicked out from school. but his mom never gave up and continue preaching him telling him what is good and what is bad... etc. and you won't believe it coz when he reached 4th year high school, things started to change. he just suddenly turn good. so good that now, he's already a priest. how bout that?

As a teacher I'm not sure I would say the very first day sets them in stone in my mind, but at least by the middle of the year you can almost see their future. However as teacher you have to treat them as if you don't see that. And its also not every child, there are some, maybe 20% that you can see more than one possibility for them. And I think this goes both ways, good future and bad. However like anything in life there are exceptions to every rule.