Reply to Not happy with emergent curriculum..what is a buzzword that will get us more structure and learning?

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[quote=Anonymous]Op I think this article might be really helpful: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/01/the-new-preschool-is-crushing-kids/419139/ It talks about how the shift to more academic preschool is really hurting kids and making them less successful in school. But it also addresses why this is happening and the anxiety you're feeling about wanting to make sure you give your child the best start you can. It's so normal to feel this way.

As I said, I completely understand the anxiety around school readiness, as the article gets to as well. it's normal in today's culture to feel this. But it doesn't mean our anxiety is an accurate gauge for what our child needs or what will help them thrive - and become whole, full people. I know this sounds a little dramatic when talking about preschool, but I think it all really matters. When we start putting pressure on our kids to achieve at 3 and 4, by the time they are in high school they are pits of anxiety. I see it in the high school kids I work with. Very, very well intentioned loving parents making decisions out of anxiety and focusing on the wrong things.

Preschools are offering more academic curriculums out of pressure from parents, not because they are research based as developmentally appropriate. Before making such a big change I would try to do some research on this to better understand why play based is recommended and to really make sure your decisions are not coming from a place of fear. Try to go back to your goals for your child around school - for most parents this includes things like being happy, being able to support themselves, being kind, etc. Then drill down some of your goals around education - maybe, loving to learn and engaging well in school, being able to listen to the teacher, follow directions and complete schoolwork, thinking critically. It can be helpful to review these to consider if we're making decisions towards our goal or out of anxiety related to achievement. Here are a couple places to start:

https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/play-based-learning/

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2017/case-brain-science-guided-play[/quote]

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