Sharing Web Resources
I selected the National Institute for Early Education Research (http://nieer.org/) and have subscribed their newsletter.
Their focus is to show facts related to the trends and issues in early education and child development that are the result of research. So, they include information about a wide range of topics but their information is always based on science and not just opinions or anecdotes.
The article which caught my attention shows the result that student who lack of oral proficiency have significant disadvantage on reading and math through 5th grade. The gap is serious especially for Hispanic students and students in the lowest socioeconomic quintiles. It is critical for preschool teachers to know that “oral English proficiency at kindergarten entry has a significant impact on students’ math and reading achievement during the elementary school years” (Galindo, 2009, p. 26). I think this is another indication that child- centered, play-based curriculum brings better outcome than curriculums focusing on early literacy.
Another topic which caught my attention is from the newsletter. One of the various topics they offered is that there has been an increase of Kindergarten redshirting in recent years. Parents who are in favor of it discuss the benefits of their children’s being more mature, better skilled, bigger and stronger which are factors that are known to lead to confidence and success. However, there is an argument backed by research that says that these children are more likely to become bored in the class, cause disruptions and dropouts. I think this topic is difficult because their success is not only dependent on when they start kindergarten but also on a child’s future personality, as well as his or her peers and teachers. These are factors which parents cannot know when they have to make decision.
I agree with your statement, "I think this is another indication that child-centered, play-based curriculum brings better outcome than curriculums focusing on early literacy."
ReplyDeleteIt is important for people to realize, children learn through all activities. It's best to provide hands-on learning encompassing a variety of subjects. Children will pick up the literacy skills, along with higher level thinking, when they do more than use worksheets.
I enjoyed reading your blog. Concerning play-based curriculum, I read an article about that on an irish website last week. A teacher was proposing that very thing. The idea is that we restrict our children too much from their natural impulses and make them follow rigid rules. Eventually they lose their creativity and natural learning processes.
ReplyDeleteYou talked about red-shirting. I heard about that for the first time last week on the news. I do not like that concept. In my humble opinion it is not important to be the highest achiever in a class by being one of the oldest. Overall maturity though should be judged by the parents in every situation concerning a child's ability to get along with others in a classroom situation.
Children learn most of their words from mom, dad, and other family members. And then they go to school where they learn even more words. It is very import that once children learn to talk that they learn what to say and what not to say. I notice that early learners mis-pronounce names and other words or say the words that are inappropiate.
DeleteHow Do Children Learn to Say What They Mean?
www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/recordDetail?accno=EJ281506