Final answer:
The hidden curriculum is the informal teaching done by schools to transmit implicit values and nonacademic knowledge to students. It involves covert socialization efforts and prepares children for the adult world by teaching them important life skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hidden curriculum refers to the informal teaching done by schools, which involves the transmission of implicit values and nonacademic knowledge through school and classroom rituals. It encompasses the covert socialization efforts that reinforce societal expectations from children. For example, schools in the United States promote competition through activities like relay races and math contests, teaching children about winners and losers in society. In addition, the hidden curriculum prepares children for the adult world by teaching them how to deal with bureaucracy, follow rules, and work in teams.