Continuation of Development
I am currently working on a tracking program for infants and toddlers. It will be a companion piece to the POCET individualization kit that I wrote for preschool children. I am constantly amazed how important it is for teachers and care-givers to track a child on a developmental continuum. If a child is not progressing at an appropriate pace, the care-giver can provide supportive activities to help the development to continue. This begins soon after birth and continues through the primary grades of school. Looking at continual progress it is also affirming why early childhood is defined as birth to eight. There are so many milestones along the way. I wish we could train parents in early childhood development, as well. It would lead to happier and more well-adjusted children.
posted by John Funk @ Permalink10:37 AM
17 Comments:
It would be fabulous to be able to educate all parents and caregivers in early childhood development. Even if all parents knew just the basics, children would be much better off. The more I learn about early childhood development, the more I want to know. Maybe parents would feel the same way if some of them had the opportunity to learn just a little bit more about their children.
Brittany S.
2330-2
Mr. Funk,
I agree that knowledge of early childhood development would be a great asset to parents. What concerns me is the habit of parents to see such as a standard of sorts for comparison to other children. Sort of a "Keeping up with the Joneses children" syndrome.
We prefer to see those milestones as a point of awareness of the vast accomplishment of each child. For instance, knowledge of the amazing progress in many, many steps to walking keeps parents from hurrying and "helping" their little ones. Why would you want to "help" a child walk when they are so involved with the other skills that lead to walking?
Magda Gerber's philosophy of following the child is really helped by knowing what you are seeing. I'd hope that your program could be used with parents in that way.
Thanks for undertaking it,
Sarah Hester
It's a great idea for parents (and teachers) to track development. Perhaps schools could offer parents training and tools to help them implement it. Its much easier to focus on a weakness or a problem, if they can identify the problem.
Tina D.
tl 5131
I think the most effective development happens when educators and parents work together for the betterment of a child. I know from a personal experience that some parents are hesitant to ask for help or utilize available resources because they don't want to admit their child is deficient in some way. The stigma of a child going through school with a label is overwhelming for some, yet how overwhelmed must a child be sitting in a class that at times is too advanced. I would hope that teachers would do whatever possible to communicate to parents that may have these sensitivities so as to promote a “team” for that child.
Jenny Barlow
5131-2
If all parents were to take just one class on the basics of child development, then their kids would have a much better chance at everything. I think what you're doing is amazing and it's going to benefit a lot of children once it's done and put into effect.
Shandie W.
2330-002
I agree completely! If all parents had even the basic information about development and the importance of it in their childrens lives they would be better off in every way. Parents are the base of a child's acceleration in development and learning, I don't think many parents realize this.
Codye H.
2330-2
As a parent to a toddler, I am really excited for the new packet. I am always wondering how she is doing (even though she is barely 2). Something like this can really help parents get in-tune with what potential problems their children could face. Plus, it is never too early to start working academically with kids. I am not supporting hard-core academics, but fun education activities can only benefit.
Brandi S.
TL 5131-2
I think it's a wonderful idea to have assessments for infants and toddlers. There are many things parents can do with children at this age that will increase their language/communication skills, motor skills, visual literacy, etc. It would be nice for parents to understand how to best help their child develop appropriatly. These skills do have an effect on the child's early childhood education, in that these skills are prerequisite to pre-reading skills.
Nichole Shaw
5131-2
I totaly agree, it would be great to help parents understand and see how important traking is for their children. At least teachers and care-givers are getting training for it. I think that many people would agree how important traking is, but they just don't know how to do it. I am just glad that I am learning skills to trak so that I can help the students that I will be teaching and also help the parents get more information about it.
Jocelyn Cottrell
5131-2
In regards to the last comment I would have to say that I totally agree. If parents only knew the basics of the development of their children it would help them understand so much more. It amazes me that for just about everything in life you must take a test to prove that you are able to receive a degree, a license whether it be for driving or business, but for parenting you have to do nothing but to have the child. That really scares me because for most of us who have education in the field of early childhood education or even just education we know that being a parent is difficult and that children are influenced in so many ways. I believe that a law should be passed for those of us who want to become parents or who already are parents, this law should state that we must take classes to become effective parents. As once stated in a class that I have taken “I have never had a 16 year old before I am new at this so could you work with me.” This is often the truth and if parents could have a class designed to help them raise their children and hear from other parents we would all become better people.
Lacy M
U0545722
I think that having a packet to tract all that occurs for toddler and infants would be a marvelous idea. How helpful it would be for a kindergarten, first, second and even third grade teachers to have a copy of the milestones of their new children. It would also help teachers to see where their class is developmentally without having to lose the first week of classes testing and figuring out where each student stands and what each is capable of. Brilliant idea!
Patricia S.
2230-2
Hello!
I agree completely about keeping track of the progress that preschool children make. It is very important specifically to see if appropriate development is continued and if not this is where accommodations can be made. I also agree that parents should be educated in childhood development which is beneficial to the parents and to the children themselves.
Shelen DeJoelie
I totally agree with what you said. I am hosting in a 5th grade class this semester and the teacher gave me some good insight on the children reading. She said that the parents who do participate in their child's reading and development are great but there are two problems; Not very many parents do participate and track their student's achievement. And the parents who do stop after they think their child can read. This leads to children that are behiind on their reading level because their parents don't listen to them read after they can read on their own. teachers and parents need to communicate and be on the same page with the children and their development. :)
Lindsey H.
TL 2330 - 001
I think it would be great if parents and caregivers we are able to have further knowledge of early childhood development. I do know however that it less likely that this will be something implemented anytime soon. I would like to say though that I believe that it possible for parents and educators to better work together in collaborating to better the child. If I were a parent and I was able to get ahold of such learning resources, I for one would take advantage of it.
Megan Lehew.
tl 2330
I remember being in the lecture when you talked about POCET. I just loved and feel so blast that we have an access to have appropriate tools for an assessment. like you said I wish every parents and caregivers get education in early childhood development so they know how critical and important to become a role model for their children and students.
Christine S.
2330-2
I think what you are taking on with this project is absolutely wonderful. Understanding child development, especially early childhood, is essential for parents and caregivers if they want to help their children find the most beneficial path of development. I realize this is such an individual process for each child, but if we can arm parents with the basics in early childhood development I think everyone would be better off.
Katherine A.
2330-02
I know other people who have said that it is too easy to be a parent, and a test should be required, or at the least parenting classes. What frustrates me is the fact that parents want us as child care providers to "fix" or "deal with" their child. School and home should be a team effort. I absolutely love my teaching job and wouldn't change it for the world.
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