04/11/2024
Time to set the record straight...
When we examine early childhood, there is a significant focus on young children reciting letters, numbers, shapes, and colors.
But why?
Before we put developmentally inappropriate demands on young children, let's stop and think a little bit more about the "why."
- Why does a two year old need to count to 20?
- Why does a two year old need to point out letters of the alphabet?
- Why are rote memory drills seemingly more important than critical thinking skills?
What purpose does any of this serve them?
Now, this is NOT to suggest there is no value in recognizing, discussing, and internalizing basic numeracy and mathematical concepts - hardly!
Numbers, colors, shapes, and letters are EVERYWHERE! They can (and should be) pointed out in relevant context, in which deep and meaningful comprehension will happen best. However, isolating and fixating on the memorization of these symbols is leading us to overuse flashcards, worksheets, apps, and charts - all of which are static, close-ended, and limiting. We seem to be correlating a child's ability to memorize symbols to their intellect, and that's where we're getting it wrong.
Sooner does not suggest better.
We need to get back to a place where we value the process of learning by doing. Allowing children to embrace far more complex and necessary thought processes such as problem-solving, creative thinking, decision-making, and perseverance - not rote and shallow memorization.
Young children need and depend on open-ended, sensory-rich experiences that contribute to the brain's ability to flourish and grow. This is where the REAL LEARNING happens and this should always be the main focus.
