I recently read a letter to the editor of my local paper from an upset grandfather. The grandfather's words didn't settle well with me. Maybe it's just me, so help me out!
The grandfather was surprised with the requirements for his granddaughter to enter kindergarten. Knowing ABCs, numbers, and basic keyboard functions were obviously prerequisites for this particular school at age five. Uh...what's the problem? Giving consideration to the grandfather's assumed age, I can understand not knowing keyboard functions, but ABCs and numbers should definitely be known before entering school!
Expecting the school system to teach basic reading, writing, and arithmetic is setting the child up for failure! Not knowing these basics, prior to entering school, automatically puts the child behind the learning curve on the first day of school. It's already time for tutoring and catching up. Studies say the brain is like a sponge those first five years, so why not teach the child something? Busy? Working? No patience? Working two jobs? Can't read yourself? Whatever the
FIVE years - FIVE! If the child doesn't know their ABCs, what have they been doing for FIVE years? Playing with Lego Building Blocks? Watching television? Watching Sesame Street? Maybe I should ask what has the parent done for the first FIVE precious years of the child's life? Hugs, kisses, walks, and play dates definitely have a place, but learning has a place also.
I'm sure I sound a little harsh and please remember I asked for help with this in the beginning of my post. Help me out! Should a child know their ABCs, numbers, and basic keyboard functions when entering kindergarten or first grade?
3 left a portion of peace:
Can I assume this was a private school? Because the public system is legally required to admit all children regardless of their abilities, and if a public school was making these rules, he'd have a valid reason to be arguing it. However, I absolutely agree that it's a partnership. Parents need to take an active role, and reading to your child in the first 5 years is a no-brainer. As both a teacher and a parent of a special-needs child, what bothers me about a school setting this kind of prerequisite is that the kindergartener is the one losing out, not the lazy parent. Having taught kindergarten in a low-income area, I've seen what a huge range of abilities you get when some of the parents have prepared their kids, and others have no parenting skills whatsoever. Obviously the parenting issue is the thing that needs to change here, but until it does, excluding an already-behind kindergartener from coming to school is, in my opinion, not the answer to the problem.
Great post! Thanks for giving me something to think about!!
I can tell you this. When we were small (soooo long ago) we weren't EXPECTED to know anything when entering kindergarten. Most children were not put in daycare or pre-k ever. That's where this grandfather is coming from.
I can tell you I was SHOCKED when I registered Man-Child for kindergarten and the teacher informed me that he would be reading by Christmas! He was only 4 (he was able to enter early). But, because we had worked with him, and because he'd been to daycare and pre-K he was primed and ready and WAS reading by Christmas.
Despite my initial shock about kindergarten, I have to say, I do agree. Children are sponges and we need to cram all the knowledge that we can into them. They should be prepared when they enter kindergarten.
Unfortunately, this grandfather just doesn't know any better. In "his day" things were FAR different.
I would LOVE to hear from a Teacher on this topic. Prior to entering Kindergarten, I personally feel a child should have mastered the basics of: personal care (tying shoes, bathroom by themselves, washing hands, eating with utensils, sitting still and most of all, showing an alertness and ability for learning) I don't think a child should necessarily have to know their ABCs, computers or any of these things. The main skill a child entering K should have is an ABILITY to learn, listen and follow instructions, sit still for periods of time, ability to transition, sharing spaces with others and things like that. As far as the Reading, Writing, ABCs and computer stuff, they will definitely learn that in school. It's recommended they learn all of this at home but, if they aren't taught this at home, they will NOT be rejected at school admission. When in doubt, take a look at the school district K requirements to get an idea of what will be EXPECTED of a child prior to entering a certain school. Hey, I can be wrong, I am not a licensed teacher :-) I would LOVE to hear a licensed Teacher's view and experience on this topic!
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