Some Interesting Readings

I'd like to share with you some interesting reading that I have been doing over the past week, just in case you - like me - would like to increase your knowledge of what it means to be a Kindergarten learner.

1. "A pedagogy of control: Worksheets and the special need child"
Mellinee Lesley; Labbo, Linda D. Language Arts80. 6 (Jul 2003): 444.  This article focuses on the importance of providing children with 'authentic' literacy experiences, and not simply making them sit and complete worksheets. Research presented in the paper shows that forcing young children to do worksheets can actually limit their potential for early literacy skill acquisition. Some 'authentic' literacy experiences that you can take part in with your child include: writing a letter together to a family member or friend, writing a list of things that you need from the grocery store (or, more exciting - a list of things that s/he would like to do to celebrate a special day), writing in a journal (please note that for best results they should be allowed to express themselves in the stage of writing that they are currently in - perfect letter formation shouldn't be a primary concern).


2. A rather thought-provoking sites to visit: www.oklahomahomeschool.com/3Rs.html   - while this site shows a clear bias and I am in no way advocating for 'home-schooling,' I did find the discussion of "early versus late" starters in reading to be of interest. I agree with the fact that children often encounter pressure to perform in literacy very early in their lives. It is so essential that they do hands-on things as well!

3. "Early Years"  http://www.changelearning.ca/~cl/get-informed/understanding-human-learning/born-learn/early-years?    This is quite a shocking read - it really gets you thinking about just how important Early Childhood Education truly is... and how it is vital for parents to take an interest in their child's education and life in general:  "Research on the predictors of success at 18, for instance, show the single most significant factor to be the quantity and quality of dialogue in the child’s home before the age of five" (3). This article also provides a great deal of information about child development and play, and the unfortunately low levels of government funding that are granted to most programs.