Since the evil stomach virus came to our house, I have spent more time lying around watching TV than I have in ages - probably since I got my tonsils out the summer before last. But since I was not tripping on painkillers this time, I actually remember some of what I saw during my Law and Order marathons. One commercial that I saw over and over was for ABC Mouse.
Now, I have no idea whether this is a good program or not. I do know it claims to be a "complete curriculum" for preschool through kindergarten. I can't approve of any preschooler or kindergartner doing all of their learning online, for one thing. For another, if your kid is already attending a decent preschool or kindergarten, you don't need a "complete curriculum" for them to do on the computer. I promise. And if you're homeschooling them? Don't rely on some computer program to do your job.
We are pushing our kids too hard, too young. One of the arguments the commercial makes is about how this little girl in pre-kindergarten doesn't like to do worksheets or flashcards and feels like she can't learn. To which I say,
Duh.
Preschoolers are supposed to be playing, and listening to stories, and learning how to share. They're not supposed to be doing worksheets. Or flashcards. In fact, they shouldn't be trying to memorize anything at all. Should you point out letters and numbers and words, just like you used to point out colors when they were toddlers? Absolutely. Can they do the occasional worksheet that involves matching shapes or tracing or some other skill they've mastered, just so they can prepare for independent work in kindergarten? Sure. But we need to stop trying to force them to read, or subtract, or survive school days structured like they're in first grade. (Read this position statement if you won't take my word for it. Or this one.)
ABC Mouse could be a perfectly educational, fun way for your 5 year old to spend an hour, I don't know - and I'm not paying to find out. If your 5 year old isn't memorizing sight words or math facts, the problem isn't with your child. It's with you, or the school your kid is going to. Yes, some 5 year olds can read chapter books or do multiplication. Some 5 year olds can also do 3 back flips in a row, or ski or play Mozart on the piano. Which is fabulous - and appropriate - for them. Doesn't mean it's appropriate for your kid. If you push your kid into doing something that isn't developmentally appropriate for him/her, all you're going to get is a kid who feels stupid and/or hates academic activities. Is that really how you want your kid to feel before s/he even hits first grade?
Talk to your kid. Use big words. Read to your kid. Explain the big words. Try Bedtime Math together. Point out letters and numbers just like you did with colors and shapes. Give your kid lots of time for open-ended play that doesn't involve a computer. Rhyme. Sing. Cook together.
I guarantee that the kindergarten and first grade teachers your kid will have will thank you for it. And if they're any good? They'll have your kid reading and doing math at or above grade level before the end of the year.
4 comments:
I loved my kids' preschool. The curriculum was arts and nature-focused and the only academic thing they did was a half hour of handwriting practice once a week in the pre-K year.
@Steph - I wish ours had been more nature focused, but I loved everything else. And there were some academics, but done in such a way that my kids loved it!
I agree with you.
Although I am guilty of using flashcards with her especially when she was younger. She loved them and actually asked to do them. She would be very proud when we would go through the pack of ABC's and she knew every letter.
I will do the same with my son and if he is interested great, if not I will just put them away. Which is fine. Although he will probably just try to eat the cards or throw them at us.
Well said.
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