Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Weighing Things
After gymnastics today, Rachel came home and saw the kitchen scale on the counter. She immediately climbed up on her step-stool, and started weighing things. We spent time comparing different item's weight and reading the numbers. She then weighed David's cell phone, and then pretended to call him and tell him we were "doing science". I love it when she self-initiates activities like this.
Play. No Really. Play.
Kids learn by playing. There are a staggering number of psychological studies done on the topic and the show, conclusively, that the best way for kids to learn is to play. PLAY.
If I sound a bit irate, it is because I am. Today at Rachel's gymnastics class I asked the other moms about local playschools. I was informed that there were a couple of "really good" programs in the area. When I asked if they focused on play and social skills, they were taken aback. "No! They prepare the kids for kindergarten by teaching them the things they need to know."
Sigh. I grow more and more horrified at what is considered a "good" school. The idea of Rachel spending all day in a classroom at age 4 is so dismal I can already say that I doubt we'll put her in pre-kindergarten. Certainly not the all day version.
SERIOUSLY folks....WTF??? Who thought all day school, five days a week, for a four year old was a good idea????
If folks who make the decisions about our education system want my respect, then they need to start looking at the research and making decisions based on what is best for kids.
Yeah, I'm frustrated.
If I sound a bit irate, it is because I am. Today at Rachel's gymnastics class I asked the other moms about local playschools. I was informed that there were a couple of "really good" programs in the area. When I asked if they focused on play and social skills, they were taken aback. "No! They prepare the kids for kindergarten by teaching them the things they need to know."
Sigh. I grow more and more horrified at what is considered a "good" school. The idea of Rachel spending all day in a classroom at age 4 is so dismal I can already say that I doubt we'll put her in pre-kindergarten. Certainly not the all day version.
SERIOUSLY folks....WTF??? Who thought all day school, five days a week, for a four year old was a good idea????
If folks who make the decisions about our education system want my respect, then they need to start looking at the research and making decisions based on what is best for kids.
Yeah, I'm frustrated.
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