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I'd like to get a feel for how you feel about them? Are you okay with 3 year olds using worksheets with letters and numbers on them? Do you think they have a place in preschool education - or are you against them?
If you have a child in preschool - do they use worksheets? Are they the predominant activity they do in class, or are they balanced with other 'fun' activities. Thanks  |
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I used to teach preschool-don't have a preschooler yet, at the school I was at worksheets were balanced with fun activities. I also taught at a school where the local teachers visited us and said they had so many demands on them that it would be really great if the kids knew their ABC's, colors, shapes, and at least how to write their own name. I really think there is so much pressure on what a child should know before entering kindergarten that most preschools feel like they are forced to at least try and teach this stuff. I will tell you the school I was at did not demand the kids to do things, but most of the kids wanted to do because we made it was so much fun. Hope this helps.
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Scrappin mom, thanks for your experience and I agree.
Albee, Ryan insists on having "homework". I think it's because I have older children that do homework after school everyday. Ryan has known his colors, shapes, letters, and numbers for a long time. I have a hard time getting him interested in writing. If he sees his name he knows it, and he will type his name, he loves to type, but writing, no interest. I just started using worksheets with the dotted line type letters and words so he can trace the words. I hope it helps. Worksheets we were doing were the types that I would read the directions to him like, color the circles yellow and the squares red. Circle the items that are hot and x the cold items. Color 3 bears, etc. I am now using this material on Lillian. So, yes I do preschool worksheets. I think preschoolers want the stimulus. I just try to make it a fun project with no pressure. ~Mother to Brandon, Austin, Ethan, Ryan and Lillian~ Breaking Lillian of the bink. Just call me, "The Bad Guy" |
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Thank you for your feedback ladies - I am just trying to get a feel for whether or not I'm being too fussy.
My daughter is 3.5 and has been doing a lot of worksheets in her preschool. I don't think they are put under any pressure at all to do them - but they are expected to sit and at least colour them (ie they don't appear to be free to choose another activity at this time). She also seems to be coming home with WAY more worksheets than any other kind of art or craft work and that concerns me. |
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My take on this subject is a little different.
I'm working on my Elementary Education degree and worksheets is a "four letter word" unless it is accompanied with an activity. If the children are completing a worksheet in groups, or using manipulatives to come up with the answer to the worksheets that is different. Also, using worksheets to help "model" proper formation of letters and work on handwriting is OK, but at the pre-school level I would worry if I thought my child was expected to work on worksheets quietly and alone. The way that Shawn is using them is wonderful and also is building wonderful listening skills. She can tell if they are able to listen to her directions and follow them and they aren't just sitting at a table quietly working on their worksheets. The Kagan method, adapted by most educators, explains that a child should be moving and actively thinking to learn. Does that make sense?? It's been a long day and I have class tonight so I'm a little brain dead. |
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Yes it makes perfect sense - perfect and echoes exactly the concern that I have. I feel that my daughter derives no value from these sheets at all. She is given no direction on what to do with them, and yet she is encouraged to quietly sit and 'do' them - whether that is trace the letter or number, or just color the sheet. It's the frequency of their use, at the expense of other more 'fun' activities that I think I have the biggest problem with. I've talked to other moms at her school, most of whom have the same concerns - I've raised my concern with the teacher and with the director - the latter sort of made me feel odd for raising it at all which is why I posted here about it - I was starting to think maybe I was too fussy. |
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You certainly are not being too fussy.
Sometimes the "problem" with directors of daycare centers is they aren't educators, and today's parent is looking for more educational value from their child care centers. The 40 hours required by the State to work at a daycare is not enough to know how to be a quality daycare or preschool teacher. Back when I was a child (now I sound like my Grandmother, hehe) and in child care we did nothing but play aimlessly and were simply kept safe until our parents came to get us. But now, if I am going to spend (and it's so depressing to see it in writing) $6700.00 a year for childcare I want it to be beneficial and basically just worth my money and effort to get her there every morning. I can keep my child safe while I am at work for way less. |
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Albee, I put Ryan in a 3 year old preschool program at the beginning of this school year for half days. It lasted only a few weeks.
I searched out a school that was curriculum based, thinking I would get the best bang for my buck. Did I ever learn my lesson. I love the school, but it was too structured and curriculum based, exactly what I choose it for. What an oxymoron. Ryan needs socialization. I do not know any children his age (ladies he will be 4 next month, anyone in this age range please get together with us). He had no time to get to know or play with the other children. I can see how a school can cram too many worksheets and structure into a little one's schedule. It happened to us. ~Mother to Brandon, Austin, Ethan, Ryan and Lillian~ Breaking Lillian of the bink. Just call me, "The Bad Guy" |
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