Optimum Time
posted April 29th, 2008 by Shannon
Bear, also known as PinkyT (short for The Pink Tornado), removed a few books from the bookshelf in the office today and left them in random places around the house. One of them was Ruth Beechick’s reading book from her Three R’s series. I found it in the living room and since it’s only 28 pages long, I read/skimmed through it while watching the Spurs game tonight. On page 4 there was this great quote I wanted to record here so I can refer back to it.
It is true that some children can learn to read remarkably early. But the fact that they can does not necessarily mean they should. Should is another question. One school district set up an experiment to help decide this question. Some kindergartners in the district received time learning science. They melted ice. They observed thermometers in hot and cold places. They played with magnets, grew plants, learned about animal life, and so on. Books and pictures were available for these children if they wanted them, but no formal lessons in reading were held.
And what did the school district learn? By third grade the “science” children were far ahead of the “reading” children in their reading scores. The reason? Their vocabularies and thinking skills were more advanced. They could read on more topics and understand higher level materials. The “reading” children, by starting earlier, used up a lot of learning time on the skills of reading, while the “science” children spent the time learning real stuff. And when they did begin reading, they were older and knew more and learned in a fraction of the time that the others took.
This research and others like it are compelling. They drive home the fact that each child has only a limited amount of time in his early years. That time can be squandered in trying to teach reading before the “optimum” time for it. Or it can be used wisely in teaching “real stuff” that the child is ready for.”
Kat has done very well with reading lately, particularly in the last week or two. But it has not been easy waiting for this “optimum” time. It’s not been easy to refrain from freaking out either. I hope the results in this study hold true for us.
Filed under: Homeschool, Thoughts on April 29th, 2008
I would have loved to have been a part of that experiment with the kindergarten children during my teaching career. I definitely believed in the importance of “hand-on” learning instead of workbooks. I do not think I could still teach the way I feel is the best for 5-yr old if I were still in the classroom. I know first hand my grandchildren are being taught “real stuff” & I continue to be amazed at their knowledge, vocabularies, questions and interest in learning. I would definitely say, “Well done, Shannon and George!”
We’re right there with ya! (or maybe a year or so behind you) We are feeling the same pressure with reading and the same hope that we are doing what is right. Thanks for sharing these encouraging words.
dc
Mmmm – great quote! I have been praying for encouragement in my homeschooling endeavors (as I start to plan and prepare for next year), and Oh! This might just be it! If you notice that your site meter registers a ton of hits over the next few weeks, know that it’s just me reading this quote again and again! 🙂