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7-19-00 Question 37
Dear Preschool Teacher,
I am concerned about my three year old daughter who
is starting preschool this September. She has always known her ABC's and her
numbers to ten. But what should she know before she goes in? Should she be
able to recognize her name? She doesn't really know what the letters are by
site, she can only recite them. My friend's son can recognize the entire
alphabet (He is also three). This concerns me, that she will be behind. I
have a two year old as well and have not been able to give her the one on
one I use to. She recently has started mixing up her ABC order, for example
she says abcdefghi k j and lmnopq s r. What can or should I do? Should I
worry? I don't want her to be embarrassed and I have been working with her.
Do you have any suggestions on books or flashcards etc.? She loves to read
and is exceptionally smart, she really is. She is just lazy with things like
that, and I feel it's my fault I haven't helped her sooner. I feel like such
the preschool procrastinator mom.
Thanks,
Preschool Procrastinator Mom
Dear Preschool Procrastinator
Mom,
Well as a former K teacher (34 years) and now a
preschool teacher... My philosophy is DO NOT PUSH. I always tell
people, parents, just use the letters, numbers and colors every chance
you get. If Dad is pumping gas spell the name of the gas SUNOCO
or TEXACO. The store KMART. Do the colors of the stop light. Kids do
not need to be drilled, they need to know what letters and numbers are used
for.
I have always found kids learn the numbers first,
sure they learn how to turn the channel selector on the TV...
Mom you will find out both kids will be learning and NO
PRESSURE is better.
Maureen
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Preschool Procrastinator
Mom,
Let your children be children. They have
all their lives to learn these skills. You will not believe what
little sponges they are and how much they will pick up just by going to
school. Your friends 3 yr. old is an exception, most
children this age do recognize the alphabet, but can not tell you them
letter for letter, but can say/sing them. Most 3 yr. old children are
learning to socialize and share, and get along and play with other children
their ages. It is normal for your three yr. old to mix up her ABC's.
That's how they are learning. Just encourage, give praise, a lot
of love and your children will go far. Do not worry. Enjoy your
children. Do not push them. Let them enjoy being kids.
They will soon enough be grown up and you will wish them little again.
Have fun!!
Brenda of Ohio
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Preschool
Procrastinator Mom,
I applaud you on all the work you have
already done with your child. I am a preschool teacher of 3 and 4
year olds. My curriculum for my 3's consists of numbers 1-5, shapes,
colors and using scissors after Christmas break--so you're already ahead
of the game in my opinion. We don't work on letters in my 3's class,
but concentrate on a letter a week in my 4's class. So definitely
don't worry about your child being behind! Remember, preschool is a
time to learn how to socialize and learn through playing.
Peg
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Preschool Procrastinator
Mom,
Please don't worry. Your daughter is doing so
well, already! You must have really worked with her and it shows!
I teach a mixed class of 3-4-5's this year and I
always have a few whose parents have worked with them, but not many. I
think your daughter will be very well-prepared for preschool, so just let
her enjoy it now! The most important thing she will learn in preschool is
social skills and she will learn those by being in the class with the other
children. Listening, taking turns, learning to be a helper, beginning
to explore on her own, asking questions, and respecting others are some of
the skills she will learn.
Most of my 3 year-olds do not learn number
recognition yet, but my 4-5 year-olds are beginning to. We will work
on shapes, colors, early cutting skills, open-ended creations, story
activities, learning about the world around them , coloring and painting,
and lots of time spent in centers. I think your daughter will love
preschool and you will all find it to be an enjoyable experience! You
have done a good job!
Jan from MO.
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Preschool Procrastinator Mom,
I teach three year old children and please
don't worry about whether she knows all that academics. I let my parents
know that the most important thing is socialization and just being a child.
All that other stuff will come along. Most of the 24 children I have can
sing the alphabet, but they do not know it any other way. We are working on
recognizing our name. Believe me, don't worry! Hopefully, the preschool
teacher will give her the chance to do a lot of hands-on activities
and play which is part of learning. If she shows you she is really
interested in working on the alphabet, her name, etc. then it's okay to
help. But please don't force a child to learn these things at three if they
are not interested in. Hope this makes you feel better.
Gloria
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Preschool Procrastinator
Mom,
I think you child is doing just fine. All
children learn at different paces through play. I have a curriculum
for three year olds that only deals with colors, shapes and socialization.
It is important for children to know what things mean first and then
recognize them as something they might be interested in learning. If
you leave things for them to do as a choice rather than forcing them to do
it this might help to!!
I wouldn't really be worried about it right now!
Jenny
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
Dear Preschool Procrastinator
Mom,
Please slow down! Preschool is a place
where children learn to socialize, share, handle conflicts, follow
directions, listen, and most importantly, how to function for the first time
in a school-like setting. It is unusual for a preschooler to have academic
requirements, and in most cases, the only requirements I know of would be
age, ability to use the potty without much assistance, and the emotional
readiness of leaving mom for a little while. To place your child in a
preschool that expects academic abilities would not be in the best interest
of your child. It would also show that the teachers are unaware of the
latest research in Early Childhood Education which shows that children learn
best when not rushed, or forced into rote learning. In my 10 years as
a Preschool Teacher, I have rarely seen a three year old who is able to
read. I have, however, seen children begin to pick up site words from
their exposure to books, and words in a setting that encourages reading and
writing, but at the child's own pace. So relax! Look for a developmentally
appropriate preschool, one that operates on the premise that children learn
at their own pace, regardless of chronological age. Centers that operate in
this manner provide kids with stimulating activities that promote hands on
learning, and opportunities to expand on areas, such as reading or writing,
as the children show interest. Good luck to you!
Jill
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" Staff
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