Child development theory and research have given us a good understanding of what young children are like and what conditions they thrive and learn best. From such information, we are able to plan our environments, develop activities and set expectations that are congruent with children’s needs and characteristics (Bredekamp & Copple, 1997).
Children should also be assessed base on their developmental readiness instead of just academically readiness. In recent years, there have been concerns that public education is not adequately preparing children for the challenges in the future. Therefore the idea of the introduction of academics in early childhood to better prepare and educate our children has made early childhood professionals and researchers expressed their grave apprehension on this trend. They believe that preschoolers are being pushed into inappropriate tasks for which they are not developmentally ready.
I also believe that children’s abilities should not be measured by aptitude or I.Q. test and readiness test only. When I read the Challenges of Assessing Young Children Appropriately by Lorrie Sheppard I came to understand and learn more about the effects of assessing children inappropriately. It explains the different test being done to measure children’s developmental and readiness test. This information has me confirmed my belief that children’s abilities and intellect cannot be measured or assessed by using mechanistic or rote system only. Children should be assessed based on their emerging abilities to relate their life experience to grow and learn developmentally.
The Bureau of Elementary Education program in the Philippines main mission is to provide access, progress and quality in primary education. This body not only formulates key programs but also implements and supervises the varied projects that will eventually enable every citizen to acquire basic preparation that will make them enlightened, disciplined, nationalistic, self -reliant , God-loving , creative , versatile and productive member of the national community. ”Filipino” used to teach such subjects as Work Education, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health Education, English is used in all mathematics and Science classes.
Though the government and each school have their own assessment and aptitude test, you will find it very interesting that all areas of development of young children are being covered in the curriculum of the schools in the Philippines. Though they conduct test such as the National Elementary Aptitude Test (NEAT) and the National Standard Aptitude Test (NSAT), these tests are conducted to measure and assessed the quality and capability of the students. However, these tests benefit the schools more in their selection of quality students that can be admitted in their school.
The Education Secretary recently has expressed his concerns about these tests and wanted to abolish it due to his concern that these test does not really measure the aptitude of each child. He suggested that each school can formulate their own tests to assess the performance of their students and the quality of their programs. The government will rather spend the funding to assist teachers. He is also concerned that students are being disqualified and discouraged to continue their studies due to failure in the test. I can attest to this fact because I have taken this test and have seen the effect of these tests on myself and the other classmate I have. It seems like these tests will determine your future if you will be successful or not. Surprisingly some good students fail these tests and some who does not do well passes and get high grades on these tests. These affect the self-esteem of the children and it has become the only basis in measuring the success and capability of the children. It would be better if the schools can conduct assessment test base on all developmental areas and focus on developing programs that will assists children to develop fully and prepare them to cope up with life’s experiences in the future.
References:
Essa, E., 2007, Introduction to Early Childhood Education( 5th Editon), Delmar Learning and Publishing
I agree with you about children being pushed to form task they are not developmentally ready for. I was shocked that our kindergarten curriculum does not allow blocked out time for play. I try to incorporate it within the curriculum as best as I can. I am one of those that did not do well on test so that makes me sad to see that others are having their future decided for them based on a test score!
ReplyDeleteAnabel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a first hand unique experience. I agree with you a child's academic strength should not be measured soley on their IQ or testing. As educators we must re-think the way educational practices are impletmented, and I think that it is high time we take a look at the facts, and utilize the research to 1.Hire teachers who are qualified, and who possess a passion for teaching, 2. Develop innovative curricula with technolgoical mediums, and 3. Create diverse assement tools to measure childrens growth in subject areas. Thanks again for sharing.
I am a Young 5's teacher, and work very close with the kindergarten teachers in my building. I also feel that children are pushed to much to complete and accomplish tasks that they are not developmentally ready for. In my district we have full day kindergarten, so there is time blocked out each day for play, and the benefits and or gains the children show from it are amazing. I feel out district is very blessed to have teachers and others that strongly believe in play and early development. I feel the children we work with will benefit for how we teach kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteAnabel, Thank you for your enlightening blog posts. I really enjoyed reading about your opinions and experiences. I've also enjoyed learning about your culture. Thank you also for all that you do for children.
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