When I was a little girl (And I’m not telling you how long ago that was!), we played house and store and finger-painted in kindergarten. And then we napped. Even as a five-year-old, I thought my time was wasted. I could play at home. Most kindergartens now are academically oriented. Some programs are more rigorous and provide even more instruction, and children end the year reading at end of first grade or even at higher levels. This can be true for half-day programs as well as full-day kindergartens. Both can effectively lay the foundation for future learning depending upon the quality of the instruction. It is really important to ensure that the program in your school is high quality, especially and consistently throughout the early grades. One of the questions a parent might investigate is what children will know by the end of the year. A parent may want to see end-of-year samples of work in reading and math. Kindergarten is the first step in the education process and should be taken seriously. Now, the only thing I miss about kindergarten from years past is the nap. I could use a nap.
I vote for the nap as well!!
ReplyDeleteBen starts Kindergarten wednesday! I have done home "pre school" with him. He is reading pretty well and writing his letters and name and words. For me, I like the fact that he is ahead, so that school will be easy and enjoyable for him. But Dan has concerns that he will be too bored. What are your thoughts about teaching them to read before they start school? LOVE having this place to ask these questions!!!
ReplyDeleteBHRMAMA, this is a very interesting and important question. I will put my 2 cents in tomorrow's posting. So, stay tuned. And Sheila, get your blankie and your pillow. Nap time.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on Montessori?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the question, Amanda. I will answer in a couple of days. After I answered the question about teaching preschoolers to read. I promise.
ReplyDeleteSo, my friend, who will you play with at home? Playing alone misses valuable learning opportunities. Playing only with people who love us is limiting. Coming from someone who frequently says "I want to go out and play" instead of staying in and doing all this work, I know that you, of all people, understand the value of play! Play isn't just for adults; isn't play also valuable for children? Where else will children have opportunities to try out their ideas? How else can they learn to negotiate different personalities? Or do we only consider the academic needs of the child? What about the social, emotional, and physical needs, which supports cognitive development and are part of the complex interplay that goes into making us the amazing creatures we are? I remember watching my daughter play 'teacher' at age 5 when she taught my son to read! My brother says I taught him to read the same way (before he went to school). Maria Montessori put it well when she said that play is the work of the child.
ReplyDeleteI could go on but I fear I won't be heard. I vote for accepting each child who comes into our classroom and providing support according to individual developmental needs, with plenty of time to work things out through play. That, to me, is special education and every child should be treated as if they are special!
My friend, you are definitely heard! This is a place where we can be heard and share perspectives. Play is very important for children. There is NO doubt of that. There is no controversy. Social, emotional, and physical needs are very important -and so is learning how to read. We may differ in our perspectives and how we would achieve these goals, but we do see the value in it all. Are you a Montessori teacher? As a special educator, I see children who do not easily learn through other methods and need more structure. (It's not saying that play is not important!) I see the value in early identification and creating programs that will help children who need connections a little more explicit in order to learn what their peers learn so easily. That is not negating the importance and the value of all the other wonderful things you are talking about. And yes, I'm always saying that I want to go out and play. And funny you should mention it, but I remember playing 'teacher' when I was a little girl. I taught my dolls to read.
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