[seanflyon]

I think that understanding basic concepts is foundational. It not only gives you an understanding you can build off of, but also teaches you how to think, how to approach a new problem. You say that kids need to fill their heads with facts, but I think they should fill their heads with concepts that they actually understand. Simple concepts that they understand, not facts, are the raw material for developing more complex understanding when they are more mature.

I realize that I cannot prove what I just said, so perhaps I stated it too strongly. It's possible even, that what I claim is true for some children and what you claim is true for others. I know that an emphasis on understanding has served me well, and that an emphasis on rote memorization has worked poorly for several people I know.