retention

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Home : 2002 : April : 17

retention
By laura

I am a kindergarten teacher as well. I am sorry if I sounded in appropriate in my comments, perhaps I could clarify them.

There is such a tremendous push in this country (USA) to only focus on the academic life of the
child. It seems if a kid does well in reading and math, they may go on to enjoy the rest of their academic life. If a kid is a behavior problem, or does not show reading or math strengths, they are held back. Perhaps this child has other strengths that have gone unrealized.
I am so distraught over the current trends in kindergarten. Kindergarten children are expected to deal with

first grade and sometimes second grade content. It's inappropriate and no wonder kids need to be retained. I can't see why we start academics so early. There is not one bit of developmental theory out there that supports academics so early. If we had a play centered curriculum in kindergarten and began academic life (with play) in first grade, the retention rate would decrease dramatically as well as the need for remediation. We also have to broaden our scope of what kindergarten should be. We should be going beyond reading and math and dealing with the emotional life, and other intelligences.

As for a child having the chance to grow up to actually learn- that is what breaks my heart. That child comes to kindergarten classroom with a wealth of experiences from which she has learned. She does not need our approval that she is now 'ready' for real education. She has been receiving education. I don't think a child is ever too young or too immature to move on. (Except, of course, if an extreme disability exists.) We just need to tailor our instruction to meet the child's needs.