ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

Since when do we only listen to what parents voice? Aren't we the educators? A parent orientation is key to explain what developmentally appropriate practices are, and the research that supports it ( the Perry Preschool Project, High/Scope Educarional Reseacch Foundarion). Parents need to be educated, and included in the learning process. Once they are introduced to the concept of play & active learning, they can make the choice for their children.

We must continue to be vocal on the importance of play. It is surprising that in Teacher Training, the students learn more about play than any other topic. Their essays are convincing, however, in early childhood classrooms, there is not much time devoted to play. Should the blame be placed on administrators and supervisors? Unfortunately, at age eight years, administrators are beginning to search for remedial activities to improve test scores. Will they ever learn that mathematics and literacy skills improve through the problem solving approach of play?

I don't agree that there isn't time, or that academics are keeping kids from activity. It's the way we think of learning. Our center has many hours of outdoor play as well as many classes meeting outdoors for at least part of almost every planned activity. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moorestown-Childrens-School/186716838025230
We are an academic learning center, in that our environment is rich in academic opportunities and every child, potty independent or not, is invited to "vote with their feet" to join any activity that attracts them, and then move towards mastery at their own pace. Over the four or so years prior to K, a customized program for each child emerges, and many are drawn to lots of literacy including learning to read, write, spell, and do math, science and Mandarin. We have learned that enough outdoor play, in nature, a respectful attitude, and good quality food, are the keys to enthusiastic and efficient learning in the small snippets of classroom time we schedule.

This is a huge problem. Childhood obesity is a major epidemic in this and other countries. Further, we know that children's brain development depends on movement and physical interactions as much as other activities. But lets not blame the parents! Its the standards movement, schools, and even early childhood groups such as NAEYC who place too much emphasis on academic preparation for school, and too little on physical activities, the arts, and social competence. Parents simply pick up on these trends and want to do what they view is best for their children. We need an entire revolution in our field to change the priorities!

There is a government campaign to get children actively moving for 60 minutes a day, so 48 minutes in Seattle's climate seems almost reasonable.
The far more concerning part of this article is the teacher's pressure to teach academics to the children. It is so disheartening to know that so many children spend their days, even in licensed and accredited childcare facilities, yet are pushed to prepare for kindergarten with inappropriate academic lessons. Even sadder is that our kindergartens have lost their original purpose---no more children's garden. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could give children that kindergarten year back--instead of the President's push for universal Pre-k, why don't we reclaim kindergarten as a year for children to develop and grow naturally, not with academic pressure. Slow it all back down, pushing academics down on younger and younger children is yielding nothing. You cannot rush development.
The early childhood field needs to develop a backbone and stand up for children and their development--sadly childcare is just another business and parents are the paying customers.
On a different comment, some one recommended the book The Great Disconnect in Early Childhood Education by Michael Gramling. I bought it, read it and suggest that everyone who cares for children should read it as well---we need to spend our days with the children in real conversation and always with love and care---that's how children learn and grow.