A child's greatest achievements are possible in play, achievements that tomorrow will become her basic level of real action and morality. ~ Lev Vygotsky, Mind in Society
Friday, February 24, 2012
When I Think of Child Development.........
A child's greatest achievements are possible in play, achievements that tomorrow will become her basic level of real action and morality. ~ Lev Vygotsky, Mind in Society
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Assessing Children
Usually when you think of testing or assessing children you think of an I.Q. test to see how smart they are or how well they do on a standardized test. When you look at the holistic approach of assessing a child it makes it more well rounded. The areas that are assessed when looking at the "whole child" are emotional, physical, social and academic learning. How well a child does on a standardized test does not reflect on how the child may need to grow and learn emotionally, socially, and physically. I think that it would be more appropriate for children to be assessed in all the areas mentioned through careful observation by the teacher. Over time the teacher will be able to see if the child needs some help in developing in any of these areas and will be able to plan for that in the classroom environment. When a child is growing in all the areas or is given the opportunity to grow in these through the classroom environment they will become life long learners thus making them better students.
I decided to look at how school age children in Japan are assessed. The United States had done studies on how American children compare academically to Japanese children. Berger (2009) had an example of Japanese education and she talked about how the children were advanced in math and science compared to the American children. But the interesting thing that she mentioned was that the Japanese government and parents began to notice that the children were lacking in creativity and independent thought because learning was more like a drill. The education system in Japan now is that teachers are teaching children to be motivated about learning by providing interesting materials for the children. The curriculum offers a more well rounded education by offering more time for children to participate in music, physical education, art, etc. Teachers work with the class as a whole and they work together on a math problem so that this way they can learn from each other. The teacher can assess who needs the extra time to understand a particular subject better and children go to Juku, supplementary classes, after school. In Japan it is important that the child master a particular area of the subject before moving on to the next. This is done through repetition and going back to review what you may not have understood and then keep working on it until they understand and are ready to move on. Others in the classroom who do understand help those who do not and this helps to foster cooperation in the classroom as well.
A good example of a supplementary educational program that is available in the United States as well as world wide would be the Kumon math and reading System. This was developed by a Japanese math teacher/parent in Japan who wanted to help his second grade son do well in in school. He created a system of worksheets and activities for children to master these subjects and to become self-motivated learners. This after school program helps children build on what they are learning and master it. The teachers assess each child and creates an individual learning program for them so that they can be successful.
I think that it is important to assess children but we have to be careful not to use it as a labeling tool. Instead we need to use it as a tool that the teachers can use to know where they need to add things to the environment and curriculum to help the child strengthen the skills they need. The assessment is important for parents to see as well so that they can understand where their child is developmentally and work with the teacher to foster their skills.
Resources
Berger, K.S., (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers
Taking a Stand for the "Whole Child" Approach to School Reform
Uniquely Preschool
The Japanese Education System
Kumon Math and Reading
I decided to look at how school age children in Japan are assessed. The United States had done studies on how American children compare academically to Japanese children. Berger (2009) had an example of Japanese education and she talked about how the children were advanced in math and science compared to the American children. But the interesting thing that she mentioned was that the Japanese government and parents began to notice that the children were lacking in creativity and independent thought because learning was more like a drill. The education system in Japan now is that teachers are teaching children to be motivated about learning by providing interesting materials for the children. The curriculum offers a more well rounded education by offering more time for children to participate in music, physical education, art, etc. Teachers work with the class as a whole and they work together on a math problem so that this way they can learn from each other. The teacher can assess who needs the extra time to understand a particular subject better and children go to Juku, supplementary classes, after school. In Japan it is important that the child master a particular area of the subject before moving on to the next. This is done through repetition and going back to review what you may not have understood and then keep working on it until they understand and are ready to move on. Others in the classroom who do understand help those who do not and this helps to foster cooperation in the classroom as well.
A good example of a supplementary educational program that is available in the United States as well as world wide would be the Kumon math and reading System. This was developed by a Japanese math teacher/parent in Japan who wanted to help his second grade son do well in in school. He created a system of worksheets and activities for children to master these subjects and to become self-motivated learners. This after school program helps children build on what they are learning and master it. The teachers assess each child and creates an individual learning program for them so that they can be successful.
I think that it is important to assess children but we have to be careful not to use it as a labeling tool. Instead we need to use it as a tool that the teachers can use to know where they need to add things to the environment and curriculum to help the child strengthen the skills they need. The assessment is important for parents to see as well so that they can understand where their child is developmentally and work with the teacher to foster their skills.
Resources
Berger, K.S., (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers
Taking a Stand for the "Whole Child" Approach to School Reform
Uniquely Preschool
The Japanese Education System
Kumon Math and Reading
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)