Portfolio –Continued Week 3 17th September 2013

Portfolio –Continued    1.2            Literacy and Numeracy 0-4 years                       Cathy Stanbury                

Week 3   17th September 2013         http://cathysportfolio.blogspot.com.au

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