I believe the whole child should be viewed. I start to feel
that when we focus so much on academic’s children begin to lack in other areas.
I also feel this is why bullying may be more profound now than years before. Social-emotional
is a skill that has to be learned but when are things such as sharing and
taking turns still being taught pass kindergarten? I worked for a public
charter school once and even from prek-3 students the focus seemed to be
academics and I always said to myself these children are three and still need
more time for play. I have learned working with two-year-old that we have to
often teach children how to play and help with creative play. Children learn by
seeing and if they are never shown how blocks can be used, they may not take an
interest in them. Yes math, language is important but what about compassion?
Everyone wants to feel loved and wanted at every age.
In Canada children are assessed similar to how children in
the U.S are assessed. Math and language are skills that you are tested on to
see where you will be placed.
Looking at a child as a whole there are many factors that
may have affected a child’s math and language skills/ development. Family background
is also a factor are they homeless or military, single parent or two parents in
the home. How many languages do they speak are all things to consider.
References
Allen. C, (2003). Mental Health Around the World. Retrieved
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200305/mental-health-around-the-world
Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. (2019). How Does Family
Life Affect Mental Health?. Retrieved from
http://www.mentalhealthcenter.org/how-does-family-life-affect-mental-health/
Web Video: Center
on the Developing Child–Harvard University. (n.d.). InBrief: The foundations of lifelong health. [Video file].
Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/resources/multimedia/videos/inbrief_series/inbrief__the_foundations_of_lifelong_health
Website
https://settlement.org/ontario/education/elementary-and-secondary-school/enrol-your-child-in-school/how-is-my-child-assessed-to-start-school-in-ontario/
When I thought of looking at a child's skill level I did not think of their home life. After learning about a childhood web and understanding Vygotsky's ideas behind a child understand things based on their mentors and adults they look up to, I feel silly for overlooking the fact we have to look at the child's environment as well as their own skills. Thank you for pointing this out.
ReplyDeleteBetsy