The Kennedy Family's Parentin Method

Newspaper Education: How the Kennedy Family Became a Prestigious Household

The Kennedy family is one of the most famous political families in the United States. Their story began with Patrick Kennedy, an ancestor of the family. He worked 15 hours a day but remained poor and passed away at the age of 36. His son, Joseph Kennedy, worked at a dock to earn money and later opened a bar that was popular among Irish immigrants. This helped him become wealthy.

Joseph Kennedy's son, also named Joseph Kennedy, graduated from the prestigious Harvard University and became rich through the stock market. He later served as the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. With a close relationship with President Roosevelt, he helped his sons enter politics. His son, John F. Kennedy, eventually became the 35th president of the United States.

How did a poor Irish immigrant family rise to political success? One of the key reasons was the education method used by John F. Kennedy’s mother, Rose Kennedy. She educated her children using newspapers. Below is a modern version of her teaching method.

[The Kennedy family genealogy, Source : Naver]

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Finding Words of Interest

Encourage children to find words in the newspaper that interest them. Parents can check which words their children highlight to understand their interests. For example, if a child is interested in soccer, parents should research the topic first. For instance, if the child is curious about the 2022 Qatar World Cup, parents can briefly learn about the Korean national team, the players, and the coach’s strategies.

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Asking Follow-Up Questions About Their Interests

Talking about their interests during meals or while watching TV is a great way to engage children. For example, ask them about a World Cup match, such as Korea vs. Portugal, and what they think the result will be.

Even if they give short answers, don’t give up. The goal is to help them think more. Keep asking follow-up questions. If they say, "Korea will lose," ask, "Why do you think so?" If they respond, "Because Portugal is stronger," you can bring up the story of David and Goliath to inspire them. Over time, children will start giving more detailed answers, showing that they are thinking deeply.

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Having Debates With Small Rewards

Once children become interested in newspapers, parents can choose a topic and turn it into a debate. Let them pick the topic and prepare their arguments for a day. Adding a fun challenge—such as "The loser has to do the dishes!"—can make the debate more exciting.

Children with a competitive nature will be especially motivated. If they get emotional during the debate, stay calm and guide them. Through this process, they will learn how to persuade others and develop logical thinking skills.

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Using World Maps and Smartphones

If debating with newspaper topics becomes a habit, try spontaneous 20-minute debates on geography, history, or politics using a world map. Encourage children to research information on their smartphones and take notes. This helps them learn how to process information quickly and make decisions.

 

With the rise of smartphones, fewer people read newspapers. However, newspapers still play an important role in delivering the latest news from around the world. Instead of relying on expensive private education, why not follow Rose Kennedy’s method and use newspaper education to help your children succeed?

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