One of the sections of NAEYC's website has to do with play. I strongly believe in the importance of play and feel that it is something that I will have to be an advocate for as it continues to become decreased in children's lives. An article that I chose to study talked about the threats of play that are happening for preschoolers. A point in the article that struck me was the fact that so many children have threats to play, but especially those in poverty (Snow, 2015). When children aren't receiving play at home and then have to go to school and not have opportunities to play, it can be very destructive to children. Play supports children's academic-related skills, as well as physical and social skills (Snow, 2015). The fact that children are not receiving opportunities to play in elementary schools is bad enough, we can't take it away from preschools too. Preschool should be a time to play and learn. That is how three and four year old children should be learning; everything else is too inappropriate.
On NAEYC's home page was a video talking about a new paper reflecting developmentally appropriate practices and common core standards. It can be easy to only focus on making sure that everything gets taught that is needed for the standards, rather than using developmentally appropriate practices to teach the material. In order for teachers to provide children with developmentally appropriate practices, they have to take the time to decide what is best for each individual child, as well as the age of the children. One way that teachers can ensure they are still teaching appropriately is to not limit the curriculum to only common core, but rather include other important domains of child development (NAEYC, 2015). I don't have children, nor do I teach in an elementary school, but from what I know about the common core standards I do not feel like they are the best way to teach children. Implementing the ideas provided in this article is an excellent way to still incorporate developmentally appropriate practices.
While looking for ways in which NAEYC included economists, neuroscientists. and politicians I found an interesting public policy update about how those in early childhood education can contact members of congress to express concern for early childhood education investments. In order for politicians to make a change, they have to know that one is needed. By taking a stand and sharing your beliefs it is possible to spread awareness and make a difference in our country. There is even a sample message provided to help in knowing what we can say to congress members or other politicians.
NAEYC. (2015). Developmentally appropriate practice and the common core state standards: Framing the issues. Retrieved from http://issuu.com/naeyc/docs/15_developmentally_appropriate_prac/1
NAEYC. (2014). Public policy update. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/policy/federal/07_23_14
Snow, K. (2015). Research news you can see: More threats to preschoolers' play. NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/content/research-news-you-can-use-more-threats-preschoolers-play
Hi Linzie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the information in your post! I couldn't agree more about play, and it is frustrating to see its importance diminished. We are frustrated with the lack of social emotional skills in our older children and yet we stop the process that encourages those skills to naturally develop in young children. Building on that, I appreciate knowing about the information NAEYC provides encouraging us to contact our congressperson and encourage sharing our opinions and thoughts on local issues regarding young children and their care and education. Like it or not, we are leaders in this field and we must act as advocates for young children and their families. Thank you for sharing!
EmmaLee