To think kids don't actually learn anything at preschool

[AnonBCofHate]

It seems like my kid learns a hell of alot more by staying home having a "nothing" rainy day than spending a week at preschool. I don't understand why they don't try more. Now they've sent home a letter saying they are no longer going to teach children to write their names! Which I think is the least they should be doing surely. AIBU to want them to actually teach my child!?

existential it's quite easy for them to sign by 6 months and no they aren't good at it, that's why you have to teach them

001 I'm actually just going in to my last year of an education degree thanks

minipie it's the only possible one he can go to unfortunately

Doing a degree you say?
May be worth pointing out that 'a lot' is, in fact, two words.
Yabu of course; children learn masses at pre-school.

voice that's a massive misconception

Ok those are all manners genius 😂

prosecco if only I was so privileged

So you're studying education and you think it's good practice to formally teach writing to preschoolers? And you're surprised that the early years curriculum is play based and think they don't learn anything? Going to have to cry bullshit on that one op!

Corbyn There is such a thing as teaching through play

YABU. If you want your child reading and writing at 3, teach her yourself. The point of PREschool is develop social and physical skills required for, you know, school. There is no evidence anywhere that children benefit from being taught reading at young ages.

Someone made a comment about China - their writing system requires memorization of thousands of characters so they have to start young to become literate. Not the same for English which is alphabet and phonics based. There is also lots of information about depression in primary aged children in China due to school pressure so not sure that's the model to emulate.

They are learning a lot, and socialising! Why do they need to be able to write their name at age 2?! I excelled at reading/ writing when i was a kid, i ended up with average GCSE english results lol. I dont think it means much when they are 2 other than for you to show off to other people lol

im against the educational system overall. i think you cant teach all children the same way. think about it. people dont even wanna study now. because a lot of them need a specific way for the information to be presented...

I'm actually just going in to my last year of an education degree thanks

Wow. That's really quite worrying that you have got that far without having any concept of child development, or how children learn or even the content of the EYFS.

YABVVVVVU

If you had studied education you would be well aware that the most important (prime) areas of the early years curriculum do not include being taught to write your name and that they focus on pre writing skills. You also would not be wondering what preschoolers learn. I have studied education to masters level and I would bet my right arm you are not doing a degree in education.

My 2yo ds has been in nursery since april and the difference in him is huge. His speech has came on leaps and bounds, he is getting to mix with children his age and learn all different things. And get to play in the sandpit its his favourite . Nursery is a fantastic thing

It's not a school. Why would anyone want to sent their children to anything like a school at three years old.

My pre school was part of my primary school, same uniform, blazer etc. I didn't start in the September because they wouldn't accept me as I wasn't 3 until the Oct - but I started in Jan a couple of months after my 3rd birthday. I don't remember much from those days but I know we did reading and numbers as well as play, because I remember having a book bag to bring books home in. I was a voracious reader and thrived in that environment - apparently I wasn't scarred for life by starting formal schooling at this age.

My sons pre-school is great. He's come on loads since he's been there, they teach him alsorts of stuff.

corbyn I'll get my hacksaw

Op if you actually are studying education (which I don't believe for a second) I think you're entitled to a refund on your tuition fees. And I'm being serious when I say that. You don't know what preschoolers learn at preschool by the final year of your degree!!!! Name and shame the university!

corbyn darling just stop while you're behind

You're an arse hole anon

I doubt you have a child, a job or a life..
Have you considered a hobby rather than being a GF on MN?

Please actually do some research. Children learn loads while at preschool and preschool is not for them to "get ready for school" by teaching them concepts they will learn at school such as writing their name, letters and numbers.

People with your opinion make it so hard on early years professionals

Maybe you sent your kid to a shit pre school? Ours is brilliant. DD1 can write her full name, and about 10 other words from memory, she knows her phonics sounds, recognises all her letters and can blend simple words. She has learned fine motor skills and can colour between lines neatly, she can use scissors accurately, she can play football and tennis and catch and team games, she has learned to swim (they get swim lessons at pre school), she has learned table manners and helpfulness, she has broadened her palate and will eat a wider variety of food, she does arts and crafts there, simple maths (e.g. Adding, subtracting, odd and even numbers), she can write numerals to 100, her social skills are great, she has a solid friendship group and she can negotiate arguments with her friends for the most part. Oh and she's done basic French.

She's not special, this is the case for most of them who have just left her pre school class. It's been extremely valuable for her.

Most names are spelled according to quite complex rules (assuming your kid is not a Kim or a Tom). Learning how to painstakingly write a bunch of squiggles by rote and say "that's my name" is an amusing party trick but does not prepare kids for reading/writing in any meaningful way--indeed, it may just confuse kids about what kinds of sounds letters generally represent.

A preschool teaching this is obviously not following best practice in terms of literacy teaching, and if they are not doing that then it's better if they teach no literacy at all.

If you want your child to start literacy stuff now, get the Jolly Phonics workbooks and start going through them with her.