Did you know that today’s kindergartens look like yesterday’s first grades? A kinder garten is supposed to be a “child’s garden,” which means that a kindergarten curriculum centers on child development rather than gulping chunks of academics. Education policy makers and politicians started pushing this change years ago, with the result that everything is now driven by standardized test scores.
The case is made that children must do more, earlier, and that we must get on with delivering content. In many districts, if your kindergarten child isn’t reading by October, you can expect your child to receive endless assessments until he learns to read.
I call for the return of kindergarten to the social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of children, learned through play. Skills for children to develop should center on the following:
Learn to listen. Wait your turn. Be kind. Do your work. Help others. Share. Take turns. Don’t hurt people. Play well with others. Speak nicely to all.
Children with a solid grounding in these skills will help to make the world a better place, because these skills matter in life. Can you think of any relationship or career that doesn’t benefit from these strengths?