Hellobee

LOVE this! As a former PreK teacher I totally agree. To me “academics” at that age should be learning how to share, get along and follow direction. And probably some motor stuff in there too. But, I didn’t want the focus to be on letters, numbers, etc. because there’s plenty of time for that!

YESSS!!! Another amazing post! I’m very happy with our play-based preschool, and try to just let them be kids while they still can. They’ll get it soon enough!

As a mom, I agree as well! I want my son to learn to read and write, of course, but I don’t want him to learn shortcuts or bad habits that need to be retaught.

I just love you Mrs.Cowgirl, because you hit the nail on the head! As a mom who is starting to look for daycare centers for my 2-year old, I am looking for a play-based center that focuses on play, discovery and creativity.

this is nice to hear. i wasn’t about to pull out the flashcards or anything (LO is only 2), but this is good to keep in mind for the future if i start getting insecure about what LO should be learning at an early age.

YES!! As a Pre-K teacher, I totally agree 100%!!

I need the “preach” emoticon. : )

Thank you for this! We are currently in the search for a pre school for our two year old to help develop his social skills. We just moved to Silicon Valley and my hubby and I are surprised to learn that some pre schools are described as to be “academically challenging”. I just want my kid to have fun and not doing serious academics until most probably the 3rd or 4th grade.

Ok fine. But on the flip side, when your three year old is sounding our words and wants nothing more than to read a book, I don’t think we should tell her “no, you have to go play.”

Our preschool spent two years trying to redirect my daughter from reading and language to practical life. It taught her to doubt herself and to think her preferences were “wrong”.

I believe that ideally, we “follow the child” in their own self-directed pursuits. I agree that academic curriculum is unnecessary in preschool, but if the kid would rather sit down and read a book, shouldn’t we let her?

I’m honestly curious because we struggled with some bullying behavior around the issue that came from good intentions by teachers trying to coach kids into setting limits for other kids. Anyway, I felt like we had to undo a lot of damage for my poor kid who was going to read whether I let her or not.

@Mrs. Jacks: yes!

I agree that early academia should not be forced to the neglect of play and exploration, but many children are ready prior to ‘grade level’ and really delight in learning and reading.

Yes! When deciding between three or five day programs for next year I “interviewed” the teachers as my final deciding factor. The teacher I chose? The one who response to my question about their typical day was “. . . and we just play!”

I remember singing a lot, painting, playing dress up, practicing counting, practicing the alphabet and doing a lot of playing in Kindergarten. When I heard from a friend with school age children that they were doing math and reading and other academic things in Kindergarten, it really threw me for a loop. How do you figure out the balance in today’s push for academia vs. play and keeping a child a child?

I love this! This has been on my mind lately, as I am starting to look into preschool options for my daughter. So many of the programs around here are too academic for my liking! They are too young and it goes against Best Practices research! Thank you for sharing, I look forward to reading more!

I’m in exactly the same boat as Mrs. Jacks. (Except for my son being pushed to do other activities– his teacher is fine if he focuses on language instead of practical life– so, he does… A lot!) I agree with what you say on play based learning, but what about when you have a 3 year old with a genuine interest and ability in learning to read? Putting on the brakes seems absolutely counterintuitive. But, there’s not a lot of good (IMO) information on how to encourage that desire in a way that won’t (from what you’re saying) irk the kindergarten teacher someday. So, in your opinion, what is a parent to do?

@Mrs. Jacks: @JCCovi: @red_seattle: thanks so much for your thoughts! here’s what I think…I think children like that are more the exception than the rule. Yes, there are children that are genuinely interested in letters and sounds and learning how to read and often times, they end up teaching themselves! that was me as a child and i taught myself to read at 4. But, what I appreciated about my preschool experience was that my love of and ability for reading was not something that was “capitalized” on.

With such exceptional children, I believe it’s important keep things genuine and engage in authentic reading and writing activities rather than capitalizing on their desire and doing, say, a strictly phonics based route. Activities like working on birthday cards; making lists; playing restaurant and taking orders or making signs, menus, etc, while encouraging “best choice” spelling would be a wonderful way to help a budding reader and writer flourish without so much direct instruction.

With the reading portion, I wouldn’t necessarily work in little readers/books, but find stories that the child loves and read them together, inviting the child to join in on parts she knows. Books that invite interaction are especially great — the Spot books, Pigeon books, Elephant and Piggie books, etc. Inevitably, she’ll end up picking up words here and there and that’s great! Above all, you want to continue to talk lots and lots and lots about the story and have meaning-based conversations about the book to build comprehension skills.

I just hesitate to give them books they are expected to read on their own because at such an early age, I find that children rely so heavily on using visual information/phonics and it’s a really hard habit to break as they move into more complex texts. And, because of heavy reliance on phonics, a lot of times, meaning is lost and very early readers struggle with really comprehending the text.

I guess all that is to say that yes, absolutely, you should follow the child’s interests and pursuits, and when those interests and pursuits lie in the more academic realm, there are still ways to keep things play-based and authentic over doing worksheets or basal readers.

Does that help at all?

Im interested in this as well as I have a similar experience as both Mrs. Jacks & Red_Seattle in that Drake has a natural love for letters and learning (for now at least) and wants to read. When we read together he tries to sound out the words and gets mad if I read stuff he already knows. At school I feel like they are doing a good job of supporting his interests will still working within the realm of playing and exploring at his age. I just had a conference and his workbook is filled with extra words and pictures he adds himself which the teacher is fine with. She says most of the spelling his own doing, trying to sound it out. I want to support him like Mrs Jacks and Red_Seattle while also encouraging him to learn at this own pace as well as still being a child and using his mind in the ways best suited for his learning abilities.

@Mrs. Cowgirl: that does help, and I think that’s what we’ve been doing (phew! We’re on the right track!). thanks!

@MrsThomson: it’s definitely hard! on my team, at least, we try and balance it by teaching the required standards, but having the students work on them in more play-based and exploratory ways. for example, our students need to learn about measurement, so we opened a pretend shoe store and had the kids create and sort shoes. Or, to help teach writing, we opened a class post office. The standards are certainly getting more and more rigorous, but we’re still finding ways to balance academia and play — I hope!

@Mrs. Cowgirl: we definitely haven’t done any workbooks, readers, or phonics. Of course if she asks me what a blend does or what two O’s do together, I don’t withhold that information.

Unfortunately, what my daughter initially took away from the preschool experience was to hide her abilities. She’s only now finally feeling safe enough at school to pick a reading work. I feel like at the last parent teacher conference they finally understood her needs.

I feel like when there are hard and fast rules about “read” or “don’t read”, we lose the point which is really “address the child’s needs”.

But your points are well taken. I just wished there was a little more flexibility in our school.

@Mrs. Cowgirl: I was the kid that learned to read already too, and I used to steal books from my grandfather’s library (adult classics like Jules Verne) because I couldn’t get enough. I grew up in Russia, where formal instruction didn’t really kick in until we started first grade (at 7) and I loved to play and was given the freedom to do that as well. My kid seems to be learning toward being an early reader – she’s already reciting words from books she knows well and is memorizing letters (from her fridge magnets and Eric Carle’s ABC book). It’s not something we’re pushing and I definitely don’t want her to be academic ASAP but I admit I am looking for at least some more structured activity for her than her in-home daycare provides currently. Like others said, I wish there was more flexibility in our education system that allowed kids to be treated according to their abilities and interests rather than with a general rubric.

PS, since we’re in the same general area, do you happen to know of programs for ages 2 and up around NoVA that are play based? We’re on waiting lists at a few programs but I’d love any tips you may have.

Late to this conversation, but now I’m regretting the alphabet flashcards I tucked into the Trikester’s Easter basket.

I heard parts of this TED talk on NPR a week ago, and it was super interesting. It talks about the role of play in brain development — worth a listen if you have time – http://www.npr.org/2015/03/27/395065944/how-does-play-shape-our-development

THANK YOU for this post. Though I agree that some kids are more advanced at an early age in reading skills, I don’t think that should make other parents feel panicked that their preschoolers don’t know how to read…Love hearing from an educator’s perspective!

Ok, I’ll admit that one of the things I was looking forward to when my daughter turns 2 in a few months, is allowing her to check out abcmouse and other computer programs and hopefully pick up on some reading skills. I’m not interested in pushing strict rote memorization, but I figured since it’s through play it would be ok. Anyone think this is a bad idea?

@Mrs. Carrot: that’s great about R! I loved that video you posted! It sounds like you are doing a great job following her interests and keeping things age-appropriate for her!

As far as local programs go, my friend loves the preschool program that her kids go to at a church in reston. lots of play and some great socio-emotional curriculum. Other than that, I don’t have a ton of info! I could give you names of places to avoid for sure…;) Lil’ CB was a “peer model” in a special education preschool classroom and we loved it! Unfortunately, it’s hard to get into those programs unless you know the teacher or someone at the public school. Good luck!

@sweetpea612: I think in small doses, ABC mouse is great, but I think it’s not something to do every day…also, as much as possible, I would suggest engaging in offline reading activities to balance out the screen time reading activities. I know kids that have picked up a ton of item knowledge through ABC mouse, so it can be tempting to spend lots of time on it, but I think hands-on activities should always be the first choice.

@Mrs. Cowgirl: I will definitely take all the “avoid” ones as well. I’m going through a list of Arlington/Alexandria area programs right now so anything around the area would be good to know.

Thank you for this post! I’ll admit I get a little anxious about things my daughter should know before K – and she’s only 3 (in June). I don’t want to pressure her, but at the same time, it’s so hard not to think about it when I hear about all the things kids in K here need to do just to keep up. I hate how our schools are pushing our kids so hard and don’t let them just play. On that same topic, though, I have told her daycare that I absolutely do not want them sending her home with “homework” when she gets into the older preschool rooms. It’s something they do.

We read a lot in our house and right now I’m just concerned about my daughter hearing the stories and seeing me read to her (and read on my own).

@Mrs. Cowgirl: Thanks! I found this post to be really helpful, and it makes a lot of sense.

I’m on the hunt as well for a preschool (an am also in the NoVa area so would LOVE the ‘avoid’ list too!). One of the first things I look at is the outdoor space for kids to run around, and the school’s policy on making an effort to taking the kids out to play. I think it’s very reflective of the program’s committment to encouraging creative play.

I disagree. My daughter goes to a play based preschool and gets plenty of time running around but she’s still learning to read and write at 3. When we read stories at night she’s picking up words here and there, it seems weird not to teach them. We teach our daughters constantly. I dont really understand not teaching them. I do understand saying it’s not appropriate for young kids to have drills and pressure but that’s an argument about teaching style, but parents and adults are teachers whether or not they have extensive training, kids that age are little sponges. I guess I don’t understand the point of not encouraging a love of reading and kids do need encouragement.

@Mrs. Cowgirl: I love this post, and your follow up response. My daughter is two and LOVES books, “reading” to herself, labeling things she knows, asking questions, etc. She’s also a mid-December birthday – meaning she won’t start Kinder until she’s almost 6. I really can’t imagine 3.5 more years where she’s not going to be itching to actually read. I think your line about “genuine experiences” is the key. Pretend play and making cards are so *real* and still such great literary tools. Thanks for the ideas

@Mrs. Cowgirl: I’m in NOVA as well. I’d love the list to avoid, as Our home daycare might be closing I’m looking for possible preschools, I do need a full day program or at least wrap around care we work full-time.

Whoa, I’m years away from this but it’s nice to feel the pressure off! I didn’t even know pre-K was having those kinds of lessons! Of course it’s great to learn but it’s also great to play. Balance is the key, right? And also that not every kid is the same.

I am absolutely opposed to a focus on academics at this age – really, before about 6 or 7. But my 3 year old is learning to read, already. She’s in a montessori school, often chooses reading work, and never misses a demonstration that another child is having. And that’s absolutely fine. Pushing academics means an adult lead approach – and that’s what I object to. At this age, ‘learning’ should be 100% about helping the child to follow their interests, and teaching the kind of life skills that a 3 year old needs – sharing, taking turns, learning self control, etc.

I don’t think that anyone means that we should withhold information about reading, and letters, just that the information should be given out in response to the child and their curiosity, not actively taught.

My LO has high interest and ability in language so reading and writing is something she is very interested in, given her high vocabulary. I fear she will hide her abilities though to avoid pressure and ‘fit in’ with teachers’ expectations of what is the norm. It’s important to value acknowledging a range of learners/experiences and tap into the diversity of ways to handle each of them individually. I am grateful we have different kinds of schools and teachers as it’s limiting to have a blanket right or wrong approach. Academic preschools have been generalized in certain circles and I have first hand knowledge there is lots and lots of play at home and school.

@Maysprout: @808love: I wholeheartedly agree with @sarac: …it’s not about withholding information and refusing to teach them things they are curious about…by all means, please, please help cultivate a love of literacy at a young age!

The difference is when it is, for lack of a better word, “forced” on the child, rather than coming out organically through the child’s curiosity and interests. Lil’ CB had a love of letters early on, too, and loved picking out words he knew here and there from the time he was 3. I could have easily sat him down and done reading lessons with him and he probably would have learned a lot more and would have been reading at an early age had I gone that route. But he never asked to do more than the genuine experiences we were doing, so we just continued with those and built a strong foundation for him. And now, as a Kindergartner, who came into school in September on grade-level, he has made rapid progress and is reading at a mid-first grade level. He loves reading, but I fear that if I had pushed it too early on him, it would have felt like work to him.

I think the main point is, if it feels like work to the child and it’s more adult-directed to help a child “get ahead,” it might be best to think twice…but, it sounds like you are doing great things for your children’s individual needs!

More to come on this subject next week…;)

@Mrs. Pinata: @lilteacherbee: @Mrs Green Grass: so thankful to have the support of other educators on this!
And Mrs. Piñata and lilteacherbee, a post on your Pre-K curriculum would be much appreciated, I think!

Thank you for this. This is a great reminder for me with a kid in Pre-K. I hate how the new norm is to have your child reading before they get to Kindergarten. Maybe this is a New England thing…