GOOD NEWS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

I empathize with stressed teachers all over the country.  You have your curriculum goals and standards on one hand and those shiny little faces who just aren’t ready on the other.  Skills are being pushed down at every grade level.  For bright children, this isn't a problem.  However, for many children school is becoming a frustrating experience.  There needs to be a continuum of learning, rather than expectations for ALL students to master ALL skills in a particular year.

I always come back to the question of, "What's the point?"  In the long run of life...at the end of the day...does it really matter if they learn something when they are five or when they are seven?  It seems to me the most successful people in life have a good attitude, can adapt to change, know how to get along with others, can deal with failure and start again, are creative...the very things we used to stress in kindergarten and early childhood! 

The good news is that I see the pendulum starting to swing back a little, and some of the momentum is coming from parents.  Parents have political clout and can bear pressure on decision makers.  The more parents know, the more they will appreciate play, hands-on learning, and the importance of a happy, well-adjusted, balanced child.

Have you heard about the Early Learning Challenge Awards?

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-earlylearningchallenge/awards.html 

The focus is on PLAY!  Yeah! 

"You gotta dance with the one that brung you" and you "gotta dance with the one that fund you."  Shut your door and sing a song, play a game, and keep a little sunshine in your room.

Wish I were in charge of the world!  Wish I could do more to help you than put a few fun ideas on my website and blog.  Try to remember that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine/skills go down!