Re: Standarized and Public Pre-School

From: Nina Sazer O'Donnell
Email: nina.sazerodonnell@gmail.com
Date: February 14, 2006

Comments

Hi Bobby:

Let me answer your second question first. I think that any effort to make learning opportunities available to young children is fabulous and commend your governor on his efforts. I also hope that decision makers and leaders will understand that because learning begins at birth, the results they hope to achieve through pre-school initiatives will be more impactful if they also create more supports for families and caregivers of children from birth on.

Regarding a standardized curriculum - I'm not sure that this would be the best strategy for helping all young children become engaged learners. Obvously there need to be good curricula and standards, along with good teacher preparation opportunities in place.

In addition, most teachers I know would prefer to make their own choices to use one or more of the several excellent curricular approaches that exist.

And the research clearly shows us that what ever curriculum is used, the most important thing is that teachers know and understand each child they teach and teach in ways that are responsive to each child's interests, skills and temperaments in ways that are not standardized.

I hope this answers your questions,

Nina