Portfolio Week 2 September 12th 2013 Unknown writer, posted on face book

Portfolio - Literacy and Numeracy 0-4 years           4.2                         Cathy Stanbury      

Week 2    12^th September 2013     Part 1

Whilst scanning through my face book messages I noticed a status update that caught my attention. Written by a Pre-school teacher I was naturally drawn to reading the comment. A scenario of some of the challenges we will face as Early Childhood Teachers. This week’s port folio I will share half of the blog allowing time to absorb what has been written. This article reflects the work we are covering in our weekly workshops whilst outlining some of the disadvantages children can experience through the competitive nature of parents.

Take the time to read or maybe you have already.

Make a comment on how you evaluate the beginning of the scenario ……

Written by a pre-school teacher – it says it all                   Unknown writer, posted on face book

‘I was on a parenting bulletin board and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 ½ year old did not know enough. ‘What should a 4 year old know?’ she asked. Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mum posted a laundry list of all the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some whom were only three. A few posted URL’s to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.

It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mum by adding to her concern, with lists of things their children could do that hers couldn’t. We are such a competitive culture that even our pre schoolers have become trophies and bragging rights. Childhood should not be a race.

 The blogger then offers her opinion: So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know. She should know that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time. He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others and in varied situations. He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking. He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up. She should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination. She should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs. He should know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them. If he could care less about learning his numbers, his parents should realize he’ll learn them accidently soon enough and let him immerse himself instead in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud.

She should know that the world is magical and so is she. She should know that she is wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvellous. She should know that it’s just as worthy  to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that – way more worthy’.  

Competitive parenting styles surface from the parents educational beliefs, which is evident in the first part of the above face book posting. Some of the implications for parents to consider for positive outcomes are:

1.      Social development – to build independence, responsibility, self regulation and cooperation.

2.      A rich literacy environment.

3.      Recognize children’s abilities- to encourage literacy and numeracy skills to emerge.

 Cathy Stanbury

References:

http://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?hl=en&q=+competitive+aspects+of+parenting+in+early+childhood&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=

John G. Borkoski. Parenting and the Child's World: Influences on Academic, Intellectual, and Social-emotional Development. Psychology Press. 2001. Chapt 8, pgs 141-157

Thoughts of:  Unknown writer, posted on face book