We're watching the debate, and I was cheering for Obama's statement about increasing funding for early childhood education, (not making a political statement here, just cheering for my kids,) I thought of this quote that a friend of mine who is working on her doctorate in Child, Family, and School Psychology (or something along those lines,) sent me from her reading.
"...up to half the achievement gap assessed in school age exists before children begin kindergarten."
I don't have the source, but isn't that incredible to think about?
4 comments:
Just out of curiosity, and for the sake of dialogue, how much of that do you think is nature, and how much nurture?
Betsy and Katrina, I have been thinking about these things a lot myself lately, now that we've decided to send our kids to public school. I wonder, should I put Ethan in preschool this year even though we can't really afford it, so he'll be prepared for Kindergarten next year? (He didn't qualify for the free public preschool and the peer model slots were already filled.) The studies show that at-risk kids in particular benefit from quality early childhood/preschool programs, but does it matter for kids like Ethan? I could make myself crazy thinking about it, worrying what he might be missing. Meanwhile, I feel bad for kids who have poor early childhood experiences that lead to an achievement gap later on. And I wonder, like Betsy, is part of that gap "nature," too?
I don't have a definitive opinion about nature versus nurture. Some kids seem to be "naturally" smart and/or talented in a certain area, and some kids who are not necessarily "gifted" seem to work really hard to achieve and are very smart and/or talented. I DO think that meaningful interactions at home are the way to go. I know that you both work hard to provide opportunities for your kids to learn and grow at home. But, some people have NO idea what to do, and kids end up watching TV all day, not being held enough as babies, etc. Also, even parents who have a lot of resources don't necessarily have any more clue as to what to do with their kids or wan to put any more effort into it - they just may have the money to send a kids into an early learning program.
So, all that being said, (am I even making sense?) I think kids who are nurtured and taught at home (I mean "taught" as in given opportunities to learn, not sitting having lessons,) are in great shape, generally. I also think, if possible, a preschool experience, especially just before kindergarten, is a GREAT thing. It gives kids a super social opportunity, both in learning to interact with other kids and adults outside their family. If preschool is not an option, there seem to be some great programs out there to help with those same things, like Mother's Day Out programs, etc.
Kids are like sponges, but some of them are in homes where there isn't anything to soak up. I'm glad all of your kids have oceans at their disposal! :)
Darci and I have Kadyn in a program called "Parents As Teachers." It is a wonderful program. The representative that works with Kadyn has shared some horror stories with us. There are parents that just have no clue how to interact with their children.
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