GOOD NEWS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

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

I always come backto the question of, "What's the point?"  In the long run of life...at the end of the day...does itreally matter if they learn something when they are five or when they areseven?  It seems to me the mostsuccessful people in life have a good attitude, can adapt to change, know howto get along with others, can deal with failure and start again, arecreative...the very things we used to stress in kindergarten and earlychildhood! 

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

Have you heardabout the Early Learning Challenge Awards?

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

The focus is onPLAY!  Yeah! 

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

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