I tell my kids every day to Stop. Growing. So. Fast! Just let Mommy relish in this moment. This moment where they still like to hold my hand, kiss my face, hug my neck in public and snuggle up really close. They are like weeds I tell you. Constantly growing, maturing, becoming more and more independent. Hold the phone and stop the clock. Can I at least get a quick picture?I have always had a problem with the society voiced emergency that has been put on early childhood learning. While all of these new age devices are great and all, isn't it a bit much? I mean, what about the alphabet toys for ages 0-6mo that teach letter sounds. Um, really? More and more we are wondering where our kids childhoods are going, yet it is us as parents and teachers who are pushing them on to the fast moving sidewalks of education. But for the sake of what? I don't feel because my little's didn't know their letter sounds at the age of 'nothing', that this is an indication they will be holding a Work for Food sign in their later years. What it does show me is that they are, wait for it....Normal.
Kids minds are being pushed to learn and retain things that they just aren't ready for. Kindergarten is supposed to be fun. Their first look into the world of education. Why are we dropping them off with the feeling that they are already behind right off the bat; because they don't know all of their letters and the sounds that they make, Numbers 1-100, Pre-Primer Dolche Sight Words, vowels, how to change a tire, hammer a nail, re-wire the house, and have fluency in 4 languages. They are just
I keep hearing that the introduction of Algebra is taking place earlier and earlier in schools. Even earlier than 7th grade which was when I first remember being introduced to a form of math that tried to convince me that adding letters was natural. Can I just say, Thank. You. Jesus. that I was not of this generation. I will be the first to say that Math and I have never had a great love affair. I can remember in college when my husband (who let me just add, graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2 degrees, Accounting and Finance) tried to be that loving boyfriend and 'teach' me Algebra. This traumatizing event ended in both cussing and crying. I was cussing, he was crying. So when I hear that young(er) children are having to be introduced to this so early on, it makes me sad. Some may feel that this is a great idea, yet I feel that there is great risk for burnout among many others risks. At that age are kids truly able to learn and understand it. How fast are teachers having to rush through beginner education in order to introduce much more difficult work so early on. Are kids even getting enough time to tackle the basics before moving forward? Are they being fully taught all of the survival skills before reaching the battle zone. For me, and maybe only me, I feel that the risks far outweigh the reward - if there is one.
Look, don't get me wrong, I think education is very important. We live in a world that is ever changing, full of knowledge and opportunity. Our kids have information at their fingertips. All that I am suggesting is that we wait to push the stress bucket their way until their little hands are big enough to hold it.
This morning I came across this article by Nancy Bailey, which I found really interesting and wanted to pass it along. I have friends who have expressed frustration toward the amount of homework that their 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders are bringing home. Friends who have questioned why their child isn't grasping as fast as is expected of them. I am by no means suggesting that this article gives answers to their questions and concerns, but it might be a slight glimpse into the problems that they are facing.
Setting Children Up To Hate Reading by Nancy Bailey
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