There was a disturbing article on MSNBC called Tutoring Tots? Kids Prep for Kindergarten. Why on earth are four and five year olds being tutored? Preschool should be setting them up for the academic learning that should begin in kindergarten. Preschool is a time for nurturing personal, social, and emotional development as well as communication, creative, and physical skills. Allowing children to dsicover and freely explore within these areas is the foundation for developmental learning. It is sad that kindergarten classrooms are more structured strictly for academics with materials such as blocks, water tables, and dramatic play areas slowly disappearing. Even preschoolers as young as two are being evaluated for what they can and cannot do!
Why are children being hurried along so? An excellent book on this subject is called the Hurried Child by David Elkind. It gives a good review of child development and discusses how children are now being hurried along by parents, schools and the media. As the parent you need to make an informed decision when picking a preschool facility. Is it based on a nurturing approach with developmentally appropriate activities or are they stressing academics? Which is right for your child?
You have to decide for yourself, but we ask……………what’s the hurry?
– Jackie & Jo-Jo
