Portfolio
–Continued 1.2 Literacy and Numeracy 0-4 years Cathy
Stanbury
Portfolio continued from a story posted
face book: Part 2
Continuing from my last blog attached is the second part to a face book
message posted by an unknown Early Childhood Teacher. In my last portfolio the teacher described the
competitive nature of some parents.
Now she gives her advice to parents:
‘But more important,
here’s what parents need to know. That every child learns to walk, talk, read
and do algebra at ‘his own’ pace and that it will have no bearing on how well
he walks, talks, reads or does algebra.
That the single biggest predictor of high academic
achievement and high ACT scores is reading to children. Not flash cards, not
workbooks, not fancy preschools, not blinking toys or computers, but mum or dad
taking the time every day or night (or both) to sit and read them wonderful
books. That being the smartest or most accomplished kid in class has never had
any bearing on being the happiest. We are so caught up in trying to give our
children ‘advantages’ that we are giving them lives as multi- tasked and as
stressful as ours. One of the biggest advantages we can give our children is a
simple, carefree childhood. That our children deserve to be surrounded by
books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them. Most of us could
get rid of 90% of our children’s toys and they wouldn’t be missed – but some
things are important - building toys
like lego and blocks, creative toys like all types or art materials (good
stuff), musical instruments (real ones and multicultural ones), dress up
clothes and books, books, books. (Incidentally most of this can be picked up
quiet cheaply at thrift shops). They need to have freedom to explore these
things too – to play with scoops of dried beans in a high chair (supervised, of
course), to knead bread and make messes, to use paint and play dough and
glitter at the kitchen table while we make supper, even though it gets
everywhere. To have a spot in the yard where it is absolutely fine to dig up
the all the grass and make a mud pit. That our children need more of us.
We have become so good at saying that we need to take care
of ourselves that some of us have used it as an excuse to have the rest of the
world take care of our kids. Yes we live in a time when parenting magazines
recommend trying to commit to 10mins a day with each child and scheduling one
Saturday a month as a family day. That’s not okay! Our children don’t need
Nintendo’s, computers, after school activities, ballet lessons, play groups and
soccer practice nearly as much as they need US. They need father’s who sit and
listen to their days, mothers who join in and make crafts with them, parents
who take the time to read them stories and act like idiots with them. They need
us to take walks with them and not mind the 1 MPH pace of a toddler on a spring
night. They deserve to help us make supper even though it takes twice as long
and makes it twice as much work. They deserve to know that they’re a priority
for us and that we truly love to be with them’.
Unknown writer, posted on face book
At this present moment this article has received 165,745 likes
and I am sure it will receive more. Many aspects of
this article hold true to my own values on childhood, which is to let children immerse themselves in the things that give
them joy, to experiment and play – and they will learn in their own time. Parents
hold a key role in the early stage of children’s learning combined with the
early childhood teacher. Taking the joy out of childhood, ‘pushing a child to
far’ can result in setting them up for failure in future learning.
The article suggests children don’t need expensive tools
and numerous activities, but just simple inexpensive items, music, dress ups, books
and the outdoor environment. My own children’s (3) main highlight in their
early years was the dress up basket in our family room. This basket was full of
old shoes, clothes, costumes, old hats, glasses and colourful wigs. The hours
spent dressing up could never be counted and when other children came over they
also joined in. Another highlight was collecting large fridge boxes from Keith
Bowden. Painted with the help of my children we made a red phone box, a box for
puppet shows, a change room (beach style stripes) for changing costumes and
different types of cubbies. These boxes stayed in our family room until they deteriorated
from the continued use. On recollection the puppet show lasted months and was
in constant use with a variety of soft toys and sock puppets.
Whilst identifying the same values in the face book blog there
is difference in opinion regarding computers. Children’s literacy, numeracy and
creativity can all be extended by the use of computers, although careful
monitoring of time and sites is essential.
Cathy Stanbury
