Early years education: Sweden versus the UK/US Part 1 (of 3) - A Must Watch Video

[MrObama]

Run time: 07:55 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecinNaR32Qs   Posted on YouTube: February 11, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 01, 2008 By DU Member: MrObama Views on DU: 1875

 
Part 2:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x230845

Part 3:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x230844

In the USA and UK, almost all parents buy into the idea that infants should learn to read & write as soon as possible. Indeed, many parents measure the intelligence & potential of their children by their ability to read and write at an early age. Some even try to give their babies a head start by showing them "Baby Einstein" dvds against all the advice of pediatricians and education experts.

The newspapers advise parents to check out the school league tables and do everything they can to get their children into "good schools". What is a good school? A school that's good at getting children to pass SATs. Nothing else is of interest.

The end result?

1) Good teachers (and the vast majority are good) are increasingly demoralized. They either leave the system or just resign themselves to jumping through the latest administrative hoops. Their knowledge, expertise, creativity and unique skills are sacrificed in favour of "targets", "assessment" and "conforming" to goverment frameworks.

2) Children suffer. They are increasingly stressed out by school. Their intellectual curiosity is stifled. More and more leave school unable to read or write. As children get older, they are less able to meet the more rigorous intellectual challenges of higher education - their minds are less flexible, having been constrained too early. Ask any university lecturer.

Despite the popularity of "Baby Einstein" dvds, "Literacy hours" and National curriculum assessments for children as young as seven, it's clear that early years education in the UK and USA is in crisis.

As a parent or a teacher, maybe you're thinking, "There must be a better way".
Well, there is.

Watch this video and find out!

[midnight]

1. I liked part one very much. The bases of early education skills

allow for the developement of social skills,and physical development via outside activities which provides curiosity, and fresh air.

[DrGee5]

2. A really good approach to educating young children

[elleng]

3. My daughters were educated this way,

and they both are going on to become educators.

[MrObama]

5. Your daughters are so lucky to have such a smart mom

:-)

[elleng]

6. Thanks, MrO.

Don't mean to show off, but thought you might be interested. I sent links to daughters, and one wrote back today:

"interesting, as i was just speaking with the brits about their plans for pre-school when they move back to london when jacob is 3. they say that they want to keep him at home for as long as possible, maybe until he's 5."

I asked her whether she'd discussed 'socialization' with them, and she wrote:

"I have mixed feelings. My general perspective is that, as with most things, it can only be decided on a case by case basis. Some kids live in surroundings that are full of opportunities for socialization (other siblings in the home, cousins, neighborhood kids, etc.) whereas others only have those chances if they are in school. I also feel that some parents are unable to provide the educational foundations that kids need at home. Some parents are uneducated or don't understand children's development needs, and in those cases, being in school is probably best for the kids. Call me a relativist, but those choices aren't across-the-board choices.
Angelina, for example, doesn't have siblings, but she was surrounded by adults who were committed to fostering her educational development. We always talk to her in full sentences and encourage her to do the same. While her social skills aren't the best, she is very strong in other areas. And I don't think she suffered at all by being home with us. She's thriving."

[SamuelB]

4. I love this video! Thanks for sharing...