The Principal Said "Kindergartners Are Learning How To Play". Interesting...

[melilley]

Isn't this what some of us talk about...

I was watching the news this morning (sorry I can't find a link to the story) and there is a school in my state where the Kindergarten teachers sent out a note to all of their parents that the game Tag was going to be prohibited because of the dangers associated with playing the game. Children were being pushed, ran over, etc.... and there was some outrage from the parents.

The principal came on to give an explanation of the letter and said that she didn't know that the teachers sent them out. She then said that the teachers told her that they sent them out because children were getting hurt. And that children in Kindergarten classes there are "learning how to play"!

Isn't this what some of us talk about?! How important play is in learning, before Kindergarten Not just learning daily lessons through play, but also how to play with others. Children start off playing independently, then parallel play, then playing together, it's a process. I just wish parents would realize how important all aspects of play are. I thought it was interesting wording.

[daycarediva]

MY ds's k teacher said this year "Everybody knows the ABC's but nobody knows how to get what they please." in a newsletter. The ENTIRE newsletter was about social skills. They are now having FREE FRIDAY, the children are getting more homework, but it's because Friday afternoon they have 'off' to play in the classroom so that she can teach them to play.

[Laurel]

MY ds's k teacher said this year "Everybody knows the ABC's but nobody knows how to get what they please." in a newsletter. The ENTIRE newsletter was about social skills. They are now having FREE FRIDAY, the children are getting more homework, but it's because Friday afternoon they have 'off' to play in the classroom so that she can teach them to play.

Wow, just wow.

If I were you I'd keep that to show parents who might pressure you to do more academics. I wish I had a copy of it!

Laurel

[daycarediva]

Wow, just wow.

If I were you I'd keep that to show parents who might pressure you to do more academics. I wish I had a copy of it!

Laurel

I would scan and post it if it didn't have so much identifying information on it. She has been teaching for 15ish? (don't recall exactly) years and she said the last 5 have been her hardest with new requirements and more challenging children with NO social skills. I DID photocopy it and send it home to parents. All of my parents are pretty good about their kids getting a 'good mix' of academics and play and use some of my phrasing at home as well (use your words, you hit, you sit, etc)

[TheGoodLife]

As a former teacher, I advertise some emphasis on academics, but I always stress that my #1 emphasis is on manners and social skills! At this young age, that is what kids need the MOST- academics are important and will come, but they need to be able to show good citizenship, respect, and responsibility (those qualities are often lacking at home these days )

[Maria2013]

it is very frustrating to see very polite kids start going to school and forget all the good manners you have taught them ...it's like no one there says please and thank you even

[melilley]

As a former teacher, I advertise some emphasis on academics, but I always stress that my #1 emphasis is on manners and social skills! At this young age, that is what kids need the MOST- academics are important and will come, but they need to be able to show good citizenship, respect, and responsibility (those qualities are often lacking at home these days )

I agree. At my daughter's elem school, they have a program called..oh poo, I can't think of it right now, anyways, they teach everyone about respect and doing the right thing. The first week of school since it's a short week, they go over what the right things are and do activities according to it. And throughout the year, if any of the staff sees that the kids helped someone, said something nice, etc...the get a certificate and can turn them in for coins to purchase things. They are just as concerned with the students treating each other nicely as they are about doing well in school. I do believe in academics as well, but I think many times the emphasis of having social skills and manners are overlooked.

[My3cents]

maybe going off topic a little-

I am all for play, all for it!!! It is important.

but I often wonder if some providers are all for play because they don't want to do anything else with the kids and its a good excuse-

just saying~ Not directed at anyone but I have often wondered this.

I am for balance between the two, and think play is very important. I also think teaching kids new skills not through play is good too.

[melilley]

I am all for play, all for it!!! It is important.

but I often wonder if some providers are all for play because they don't want to do anything else with the kids and its a good excuse-

just saying~ Not directed at anyone but I have often wondered this.

I am for balance between the two, and think play is very important. I also think teaching kids new skills not through play is good too.

I've wondered the same thing. To me, learning from play is not just watching them play, but the provider themselves, getting involved. I do mostly play based, but I also do some academics by doing a theme, color, letter, and shape of the week and talk about them throughout the day-I like to have a balance also.

[Blackcat31]

I've wondered the same thing. To me, learning from play is not just watching them play, but the provider themselves, getting involved. I do mostly play based, but I also do some academics by doing a theme, color, letter, and shape of the week and talk about them throughout the day-I like to have a balance also.

I am play-based. I do not "get involved". I am available for assistance if they need me. I will facilitate a disagreement or assist in conflict resolution but I do not get involved with their play at all.

[Maria2013]

I am all for play, all for it!!! It is important.

but I often wonder if some providers are all for play because they don't want to do anything else with the kids and its a good excuse-

not me! I would get so bored if all I did was watching them play, I actually like planning lessons and teaching them new things, it is very bonding for me

[melilley]

It's interesting to see how everyone does everything! I am forever going back and forth between doing play based and teacher led/academics. So, I decided to do a mix. Plus, I can't really do any preschool activities, my kids are really young, well with the exception of one and she just turned 3 yesterday.

[Blackcat31]

Our Community Education department includes the following note in the paperwork for kids who are having their preschool screenings done for Kindergarten. Usually around 3-3.5 years old.

Academic skills are only part of kindergarten readiness. Sure, it's great that your child knows the entire alphabet, recognizes all the numbers up to 20 and can even read a little bit, but these skills are of secondary importance. There are a number of other readiness skills that will give your child a leg up in the classroom.

Ask yourself the following questions to get a better sense of your child's readiness:

• Does my child have the oral communication skills to make her needs/wants clearly understood?
• Can my child separate from me for hours at a time without distress?
• Is my child able to follow one- and two-step directions and adhere to rules?
• Can my child sit still and pay attention for at least 10 minutes?
• Does my child get along well with other children? (i.e. Is he able to cooperate? Does he hit, kick or bite?)
• Is my child able to complete personal need tasks independently or is she willing to try? (Can she button or snap her pants? Zip her coat? Use the toilet without help? Wash her hands?)
• Does my child know how to use crayons? A pencil? Scissors?
• Can my child state his full name, address and phone number?

[Laurel]

I am all for play, all for it!!! It is important.

but I often wonder if some providers are all for play because they don't want to do anything else with the kids and its a good excuse-

just saying~ Not directed at anyone but I have often wondered this.

I am for balance between the two, and think play is very important. I also think teaching kids new skills not through play is good too.

What skills do you mean that you teach specifically?

Just curious.

Laurel

P.S. Edited to add that on another child care forum I belong to providers were describing their programs and some were calling basically the same program a play program and the other preschool. That is why I am asking.

[melilley]

Our Community Education department includes the following note in the paperwork for kids who are having their preschool screenings done for Kindergarten. Usually around 3-3.5 years old.

Academic skills are only part of kindergarten readiness. Sure, it's great that your child knows the entire alphabet, recognizes all the numbers up to 20 and can even read a little bit, but these skills are of secondary importance. There are a number of other readiness skills that will give your child a leg up in the classroom.

Ask yourself the following questions to get a better sense of your child's readiness:

• Does my child have the oral communication skills to make her needs/wants clearly understood?
• Can my child separate from me for hours at a time without distress?
• Is my child able to follow one- and two-step directions and adhere to rules?
• Can my child sit still and pay attention for at least 10 minutes?
• Does my child get along well with other children? (i.e. Is he able to cooperate? Does he hit, kick or bite?)
• Is my child able to complete personal need tasks independently or is she willing to try? (Can she button or snap her pants? Zip her coat? Use the toilet without help? Wash her hands?)
• Does my child know how to use crayons? A pencil? Scissors?
• Can my child state his full name, address and phone number?

I like this and it makes sense! If they can't do any of the above, they will probably have a hard time adjusting/learning anyways!