....and now the pendulum swings the other way

[Blackcat31]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/free-play-or-flashcards-new-study-nods-to-more-rigorous-preschools/ar-BBBFyte?li=BBnbcA1

[Annalee]

I think there will be negative effects from PreK and the Core standards in the future for ALL students. But not sure it will ever change in the school system. Here, it seems all students are expected to learn from the same box. There is no other way to teach anymore.....so some students are being left behind. Ironically, the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND is just a phrase now because there are more left behind than ever before It is sad that lawmakers only see/hear "it is all for better education"....too many times they do not research the info before voting on something, just like they do with child care issues here. Frustrating! :confused:

[mommyneedsadayoff]

That was such a frustrating article to read. About half way through they mention it was a small study and there is no evidence that the "advancement" lasted any farther than kindy. Basically saying that kids who were exposed to these academics prior to kindergarten did better than those who were not. Well, duh If I spend a few weeks teaching my kid what a square is, he is probably going to have a good grasp on what a square is come kindergarten. And that is not a bad thing, but if teaching him about that square consumed our time so much that he missed out on play time, then there could also be ramifications for spending so much time on learning what a square. A concept that he will learn eventually, so what is the rush?

I think balance is key and playing/academics do not have to be opposite of each other. Kids learn SO much through play! They learn that the square won't fit in the round hole and through their OWN minds, they figure out the difference between the two shapes. And I think they retain the knowledge much longer when learning that way, versus me trying to ingrain my own knowledge of squares into them.

Whenever I see these studies, I just think they have found a group to study and find the EXACT answers they want so they can keep these public programs funded and alive. They really don't need to try so hard. Just tack the word "FREE" on any of them and parents won't care what is being taught.

[Annalee]

That was such a frustrating article to read. About half way through they mention it was a small study and there is no evidence that the "advancement" lasted any farther than kindy. Basically saying that kids who were exposed to these academics prior to kindergarten did better than those who were not. Well, duh If I spend a few weeks teaching my kid what a square is, he is probably going to have a good grasp on what a square is come kindergarten. And that is not a bad thing, but if teaching him about that square consumed our time so much that he missed out on play time, then there could also be ramifications for spending so much time on learning what a square. A concept that he will learn eventually, so what is the rush?

I think balance is key and playing/academics do not have to be opposite of each other. Kids learn SO much through play! They learn that the square won't fit in the round hole and through their OWN minds, they figure out the difference between the two shapes. And I think they retain the knowledge much longer when learning that way, versus me trying to ingrain my own knowledge of squares into them.

Whenever I see these studies, I just think they have found a group to study and find the EXACT answers they want so they can keep these public programs funded and alive. They really don't need to try so hard. Just tack the word "FREE" on any of them and parents won't care what is being taught.

FREE is the key word. I feel that prek should never be mandated, BUT there are way too many children being accepted in this program by not being truthful on their apps about income eligibility or high-risk status. There are many working parents that could use this FREE program as well. I have observed these classes while obtaining my degree and it is DAYCARE. A teacher can only put in a kids head what they are capable of learning...drilling a kid will not have positive lasting effects.

There are also studies that have shown that by second grade, despite what kind of early childhood program a child attends, they all even out.:confused:Kindy teachers here tell me they can tell which children come from FCC. They tell me the children have better self-help skills and their social-emotional skills help them adapt. Early grade teachers also tell me that when children are home-schooled, they also see the self-help skills with social-emotional adapting skills as the children enter the public schools. Teachers tell me that headstart children are "all over the place"? I am just stating that I feel children are NOT ready for the LARGE classroom settings at age 4. All centers do not have LARGE classrooms, but the two I worked for back in the 80's did. These are just my opinions which come my own personal experiences.

[Josiegirl]

Stress. Burn-out. Self-esteem issues. Competition between children and even their parents. Failure to meet inappropriate goals for their developmental stages. More children will either be deemed gifted or in need of specialized services.

I simply do not see shoving this type of curriculum down a child's throat, to be a good thing.

Whatever happened to letting kids be kids, letting them explore, discover, problem-solve, have fun, experiment, play with friends, get muddy, ugh. I get so frustrated when I read stuff like this. Is it because parents are the ones pushing this trend or is it the increased funding schools get?

[Annalee]

Stress. Burn-out. Self-esteem issues. Competition between children and even their parents. Failure to meet inappropriate goals for their developmental stages. More children will either be deemed gifted or in need of specialized services.

I simply do not see shoving this type of curriculum down a child's throat, to be a good thing.

Whatever happened to letting kids be kids, letting them explore, discover, problem-solve, have fun, experiment, play with friends, get muddy, ugh. I get so frustrated when I read stuff like this. Is it because parents are the ones pushing this trend or is it the increased funding schools get?

I feel it is the money. Our schools are overcrowded but that state money for prek classes talks. There will be portable classroom in my county this year for that state funding. There is even talk of the work closet becoming a classroom???? Sad!!!!

[Cat Herder]

I will be glad when *they* let the doers do and the theorists theorize........ >>>>> Over there.

[ardeur]

2 and 3 year olds are regularly put in preschool here. Actual learning preschools. I hate it. I strongly believe playtime, outside playtime, and learning social behaviors is so much more important. It is SO easy to slip in (academic) learning moments during playtime anyhow.

[flying_babyb]

3 year old preschool is very common here too! the 3 year old ones seem to focus on play, the 4 year old on learning. I try to focus on play with my kids but we do lots of learning too. My group of 1 year olds love flashcards. Most know there colors and were working on numbers, their choice