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Dear Preschool Teacher,
I teach 4 year old preschoolers. Some are
very young 5's when they are in class. The school wants me to teach
them number values (which is greater than/lesser than), and teach a
letter a week. Some of the young 5's cant keep up with the pace of a
letter a week, and I feel as if it is kindergarten work. They are
becoming frustrated, angry, and the school tells me that they must
keep up or I have to "fail" them. That is completely against
what I believe. That preschool isn't mandatory, these parents sent
these kids to get acclimated to school atmosphere, and how can you pass or fail preschool?? The parents are
getting on me for being too tough, the school says to keep on teaching
a letter sometimes for only 2 days, and move on to the next. My
question is, is it fair to keep a young 5 back if he has proven he is
ready in all other areas?? The areas they are having a tough time on,
will be recovered in kindergarten. I say pass them on, the school is
telling me to fail these little ones.
Thank you for any advice
School Problems
Dear School Problems,
In my opinion what your school is doing is absurd.
No preschooler should ever be expected to know all there letters
inside and out as well as number values. This is more of something
that should be touch on. It will be taught in Kindergarten. The school
is asking you to teach completely inappropriate practices. The problem
you seem to have is you are in the middle of trying to protect these
little ones and keeping your job. You are right preschool is not
mandatory and in no way should ever be a pass or fail thing. It should
be nothing more the a suggestion from the teacher to the parents about
whether there child is ready or not. Do you have conference with the
parents? If you do you can tell the parent how you really feel about
all this and to not take the pass or fail seriously. The point here is
the parent have the ultimate choice on whether there child is ready
for kindergarten or not.
The most unfortunate part here is the
children are who is suffering. This is the children's first taste of
school. This needs to be the most positive it can be. Preschool will
help to set the path for the rest of their school years. If they are
angry and frustrated, there is a good chance they do not like school.
This will be the path that follows them through the rest of their
school years. Like I said I know you are between a rock and a hard
place. Not knowing you job situation I am leery to suggest the
following. I do not in any way want to be responsible for anyone
quitting or losing their job. So, let me say upfront, please think
long and hard before following these suggestions.
1. Go to your principal/ director
armed. Tell them how inappropriate this situation is. Show them proof
of Developmentally appropriate practices. Explain that for the welfare
of the children this can not go on. If it is to continue maybe you
should get it in writing.
Here is where can find some information about appropriate practices
for this age group:
http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/age.stage.page.html
http://www.ecdgroup.com/
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v1n2/new.html
To get more information about this
check your local library for article or call a local collage and ask
to speak to the director or the early childhood department. Tell them
your story and ask if they have a copy of any information you can
share with the school.
2. If your Center/School is
approved by the department of Child welfare (most schools are, I know
in my state the only ones that do not have to be are church run
schools.) report this to them. They will either send you in the right
direction or come out and evaluate it themselves. This page may
help with that http://nccic.org/dirs/regoffic.html
3. If you program is accredited with
NAEYC report the school to the authorities there.
www.naeyc.org
I wish you
lots of luck and my last and final advice is to stick with your heart
and do what is right for the children. Sometimes you are the only
voice they have sticking up for them.
The Preschool Teacher |
