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Teeter Totter ~ Finding a Balance Between Me-Hood and Motherhood
Gender: female Date of Birth: January 01, 1973 Member Since: September 11, 2007 Last Signed In: March 19, 2010 Blog Views: 16601 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
Running with Lurch
YES! Your Teen’s Crazy! Picture Perfect Combating Stress Mom’s Gone Wild! RIP Big Blue Whale Lowjack Your Kid? P’s and Q’s Intervention vs Teamwork Sweet and Healthy September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 December 09 January 10 February 10 March 10 Teeter Totter Finding a Balance Between "Me-Hood" and "Motherhood" In this blog I'll be covering as wide a variety of subjects as the duties of a real mom in today's culture. From raising special needs children, family vacations, marriage, relationships, sex, cooking, local to-do, school (both for you and the children), working, hiring a daycare provider, arts and crafts, decorating, holidays, to well... EVERYTHING! No holding back. 
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The Play Priority
I was talking with a group of mothers this weekend who all have kids under six years old. They were sharing their concern with the new school standards and the lack of “play time.” I very much share that concern. What’s more important, that a Kindergartner knows how to write a full sentence, or that they know how to share? That they have the fine motor skills to cut with scissors, or can give you back correct change? According to state standards, social skills, gross and fine motor development take a backseat to “learning” by completion of "worksheets." Since when did kids stop learning through play? This new attitude (or is it really new?) in the school system concerns me greatly. I like to think that after school, we make up for it by letting the kids play away the rest of the day… but we all know that’s not how it goes. They could go from school straight to other structured classes for MORE learning (who doesn’t want their kid to get ahead), tutoring, sports, theater… If they’re one of the lucky ones who actually just get free play time after school, what are the playing with? I saw in the Target holiday toy insert this Sunday something that really surprised me. All of the typical “toys,” such as play dough, Lego, bikes and books were in the very back of the catalog. What was at the front were “toys” that kept kids glued to screens. Doll’s with USB ports (that one surprised me), video games and battery operated ride-on cars (who needs to learn to peddle?) filled the first few pages. My concern is this; what kind of children are we raising? Ones who can only share feelings through Facebook and texting on their iPhones? Ones who can’t cut with scissors or wrap a gift till they’re 20? Ones who don’t know the concept of teamwork, compromise or sharing? Ones who never feel the strings of a guitar, taste home made play dough or learn what happens when you jump from the top of the slide rather than slide? We’re encouraging perfection at the expense of actual learning. We’re replacing real life experiences with cyber generated ones. We’re letting our kid’s avatar live out what they should be doing in the real world. We’re spraying their little lives with Lysol and sticking a pre-made bow on top. Play is important. Play is how children learn. Cooking, music, art, movement and sharing, are all vital to human development and are all considered to be actual food for the brain. Math can wait, sentence structure can be put off, but social skill development, expressive language and fine motor only have a small window of opportunity to be learned and enriched (neurologically speaking.) Make play a priority and you’re ensuring the future success and mental health of your child. What a great gift to give for the holidays! So skip the USB doll and go for the tub of play dough. Or better yet, make your own batch WITH your kid! 5 comments from 4 users
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posted by
motherofconfusion
on Nov 10, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! I love this post. Why is it getting so much more difficult in Kindergarten? WTH is with the test scores? Education is about the whole person, not just the alphabet and addition. And playtime is sooooooooooo important. As is music (and hey, isn't music math related?), art, snack time, etc. And worksheets? Such a narrow way to educate and test with. If a child's strength isn't learning by the stand & lecture and fill in the bubbles tests? ugh. My heart goes out to the teachers too. So many rules, restrictions and paperwork. posted by
creatress
on Nov 10, 2009 at 08:59 AM
I agree with you 100%. And GREAT point about music and math. You are so correct (they are related.) I agree with you as well about feeling terrible for the teachers. The majority don't support this "stand and lecture" method of teaching. So, if it's been scientifically proven that this way of teaching AND learning is the least efficiant, why is that what our schools focus on? Hat's off to you families that homeschool. Had I a young one at home now, I'd have to really consider the options. posted by
hmoeckli
on Nov 11, 2009 at 02:58 PM
I really appreciate this post! As one of the moms you were probably referencing and as a teacher, I have major concerns about the focus on test-taking, etc in public school. I also think that most curriculums cover too many topics. I am a big believer in focusing on specific areas until mastery is reached.What's frustrating for teachers is that we are exposed to many styles and methodologies in our teaching programs, but once we actually begin teaching, we are severely limited to what we can use in the class room. Very frustrating. posted by
creatress
on Nov 11, 2009 at 05:35 PM
As someone studying Special Education in the classroom, I can totally relate. You learn all about "Best Practices", but then never see them applied to the kids in real life situations. Too little funding, too much red tape and the people making all the decisions seem to be under-educated in the matter. Same as what you're talking about. That's why I'm not a classroom teacher. I love teaching and working with kids, but I'm not a "play by the rules" person in any way. It breaks my heart however the effect this is having on our kids, and the teachers who want so much to help but are constantly held back. ARG! Once again, your school and kids are so lucky to have you! posted by
AmandaS
on Nov 14, 2009 at 08:48 AM
I agree...but that probably goes without saying since I, too, was one of the likely moms in questions. :-) As you know, I am totally frustrated and *feel* for the teachers who are stuck in the predicament of straddling the standards with their own common sense about how kids learn.
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