When does “providing for the best for our children” go too far?
At some point, each parent will say that they want to provide the best for their child or they want to give their child better opportunities then they had in life. But even with the best intentions, can these expectations go too far?
In Rethinking ECE, the chapter was dedicated to young children and computers. It brought up numerous points of why computers aren’t appropriate for children under 7 years old. There is a push for children to become tech-savvy at an early age and I believe some people have replaced teaching with a computer. I get confused about this issue as well. On one side I think they are too young to be learning about computers. I wouldn’t want a child to think back on preschool and think I remember playing on the computer. The best part of preschool is getting dirty, exploring hands on and playing with all types of different toys. I enjoyed the quote at the end “Let us not let our adult excitement with what computers can do in the adult workplace deter us from offering to children the squishiness of making mud pies….The adult world of the plastic workplace comes all too soon.” Yet on the other hand, I think it must be important if NAEYC has a criteria about technology in the classroom. Granted, I don’t know what is appropriate technology for this age group. I do see that providing the exposure of a computer could be beneficial, especially for some children who are not fortunate enough to have a computer at home.
In New Possibilities, the narrative about Diane and where she asks the question of what’s more important, financially providing for her family but not being there for them or being there for them but not being about to provide for her family. It is hard especially for an immigrant single mother living in poverty. I have talked many families and co-workers about receiving help to get them out of poverty. From what I gathered from many people, is that there are many obstacles that stand in your way. It seems that once you always get a step ahead, something pops up such as the program losing money and it sets you back two steps back.
Parents do want what’s best for their child and most times that is a positive. Being part of a preschool it can sometimes pose the question, do we do what we believe is appropriate for the children or do we do what the parents want and please our clients? Hopefully the answer is the same on both ends.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful question: do we do what we believe is appropriate for the children or do we do what the parents want and please our clients?
I would like to add something else to the question: Do we do what we do in order to fulfill societal expectations of what school should be?
All of these questions have me thinking about the choices we make as educators. Are we limited by the influence of society and pleasing parents? How can teachers challenge these ideas of teacher decision making? Does this link to the societal view of the child as incapable and fragile?
Jeanne
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteGetting out of poverty is definitely not easy. My opinion is that the state system makes it even harder in some situations. I understand that the state is there to assist these families in need but the way the current system is set up, it doesn't make sense for some to better themselves. In some cases, if a person on welfare is offered a job or promotion they end up losing out by accepting. In one instance, an AT was offered a Teacher position but turned it down. Not because she didn't feel ready to take on the challenge but because the raise in pay would disqualify her in receiving many other benefits. Her rent would triple and insurance coverage would be taken away. Why would she accept the promotion when it puts her in an even worse situation?
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI worked in a classroom that allowed children to use computers and play different types of Pre-K programs. As I observed most of the children playing it, they had no clue what to do, and was just clicking away. They weren't listening and understanding what the person was saying and how to play. Only a few, those who've been exposed to these games and play at home, or understood the direction because they were about 5 years old that were able to play the computer programs. Children have no focus on the computer, so why bring them into a early childhood classroom when they have other opportunities to learn? Why teach them how to work a computer when they should learn how to write, build, interact, and so on?
Every parent's intention is to provide them the life they themselves were not given. They want to give their child the world but in what way? Many do appropriate upbringings like reading daily to their child since birth, and some do inappropriate upbringings like teach them how to play video games at 2-years-old. How do we educate the parents about appropriate practices and how to help their child develop as a whole so they can become successful learners and citizens?
Ashley
Its true that in attempts to give our children everything we end up giving too much. However, this is often too much of a not so good thing. Computers are very expensive and difficult to repair. Children do not need expensive toys. A child will be more than happy with a cardboard box. We need to think of what it is that we really want to be providing our children with. How about furthering their literacy through reading a book together. Most children like to spend time doing things with their family. There are important bonding opportunities that are being missed with every minute a child spends in front of a screen. I totally agree with you that learning happens the best through hands on and the more hands on opportunities we provide for the children the better off they will be.
ReplyDeleteThere are families out there who are really struggling and I wish there was more I could do to help. I think as teachers we are able to provide the children and families with a friendly atmosphere and consistency. We may not be able to fix everyone’s problems but we can at least do what we can to help.
Your comment about technology in the classroom being important because it is an NAEYC criterion raises some interesting questions. If the text presents a convincing argument about the negative influence of computers in a preschool classroom but NAEYC lists technology as a criterion, who is correct? And what are we, as early childhood educators, supposed to do if we do not believe in having computers in the classroom but want to become accredited by NAEYC? What compromises are we willing to make to overcome this dilemma?
ReplyDeleteAloha Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIn our profession it is always difficult to please everybody. Some parents agree with what children are learning, and others are not satisfied because they want more. When it comes to computers in the classroom, where do we draw the line? I for one do not believe that children should have "computer time" in the classroom. Although it can be a great tool, however, it does not give children the real life experiences they need.
I wish that we could do more to help families who are struggling or living in poverty. I know that we can't solve all of their problems or issues, but I'm thankful that we can be a support for them. At least the children can feel secure and have some consistency while in our care. If parents have difficulty providing for their children, how much help are we allowed to offer them? As educators, do we have enough resources that can be provided for parents? If parents refuse help from us, what do we do about it? Our number one priority is the children in our care, and we all want what's best for them.
Let me first start out by saying that I like the term you used replacing teaching with computers, isn't this what we are doing when we introduce computers to early in school. We as teachers then out the task of educating children in the hands of a key board and not with us as educators. When did this become okay and how did we let this happen. It is funny that they wrote a whole chapter on this subject. Can you imagine what parents would say if their child came home and said guess what mommy I got to play on the computer at school all day?
ReplyDelete