Testing. Assessments. Data. It's all we ever hear about education these days. It's amazing to me how much focus is placed on measuring children's development, yet so little emphasis is placed on the process of learning. At least that's how it seems when looking at educating young children from the American public's perspective.
If you think about childhood, development and learning, everything leads back to one simple skill: problem solving. Whether it's a child's ability to solve the problem of stress management, or simple to solve a mathematical equation for their daily homework; a child's ability to navigate through whatever tasks or challenges that might be presented is the very best way to measure the quality and growth of a child's development.
I always find myself stumbling upon research produced in Finland, outlining why their educational system is far superior than the education system in the United States. In an article shared with the National Educators Association in 2010. One of the common facts stated throughout the article, is how Finland continues to avoid the common practice of evaluation and assessment. Rather, the country builds the quality of their programs based on the universal access to resources, teacher preparation, and quality individualization of programs for students requiring extensive supports. It makes so much sense: spend the time and efforts providing opportunities for growth, education, and improvements in the areas of student growth and practitioner growth (educators and educational professionals). By doing so, children are given more opportunities to grow and learn in more well rounded ways- with time to grow socially and emotionally, in turn increasing their academic success later in life.
Resources
Darling-Hammon, L. (2010). Steady Work: Finland Builds a Strong Teaching and Learning System. Rethinking Schools, Volume 24, Number 4. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/home/40991.htm
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Anchoring your family
Lilly* has a birthday coming up. This year she turns 6. Her birthday this year will be different that any other. This year her party will run by her aunt and father. About two months ago, Lilly's mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She had found a lump in her breast during a self check, and within two weeks she was scheduling a double mastectomy and searching for a quality oncologist to provide her treatments. At first, I didn't think Lilly knew what was happening. Her older sister, who turned 9 last month, has talked with me several times, each time leading on that she knows far more than her young self understands.
A few weeks ago, I was able to spend the day with Lilly and her siblings as her parents went to one of Mom's chemotherapy appointments. While together, I asked Lilly how her mom was doing. She confidently told me that Mommy was good, and then leaned in to whisper in my ear that Mommy's hair was gone. She paused, and then looked at me with a hidden look of concern. I realized in that moment that Lilly wanted me to help her understand why things have become different. I used to be her teacher, and have continued to be a constant presence in her life. Yet at this moment, I knew how important it was that I helped Lilly know that if anything, she wasn't alone. I talk with Lilly more frequently about how she can help, and how it's okay to be scared. As a child of a two-time cancer survivor, I know how important it is to have someone near to talk with, hide with, and rely on.
Thinking of Lilly and her family, as well as my own experiences, I have begun to wonder what supports are available to children and families afflicted by extreme sickness. My younger sister, a medical student, has been including me on the information she has come across while looking into service opportunities. One specific project she is hoping to join is a project that provides emotional and medical supports to women and their families whom are affected by breast cancer. The specific programs serves families in villages in Africa. The services not only serve to provide treatment for the women with cancer, but also to provide their children with the supports they need. Along with those services, the organization provides families with resources about how they can personally support their children in the process.
A few weeks ago, I was able to spend the day with Lilly and her siblings as her parents went to one of Mom's chemotherapy appointments. While together, I asked Lilly how her mom was doing. She confidently told me that Mommy was good, and then leaned in to whisper in my ear that Mommy's hair was gone. She paused, and then looked at me with a hidden look of concern. I realized in that moment that Lilly wanted me to help her understand why things have become different. I used to be her teacher, and have continued to be a constant presence in her life. Yet at this moment, I knew how important it was that I helped Lilly know that if anything, she wasn't alone. I talk with Lilly more frequently about how she can help, and how it's okay to be scared. As a child of a two-time cancer survivor, I know how important it is to have someone near to talk with, hide with, and rely on.
Thinking of Lilly and her family, as well as my own experiences, I have begun to wonder what supports are available to children and families afflicted by extreme sickness. My younger sister, a medical student, has been including me on the information she has come across while looking into service opportunities. One specific project she is hoping to join is a project that provides emotional and medical supports to women and their families whom are affected by breast cancer. The specific programs serves families in villages in Africa. The services not only serve to provide treatment for the women with cancer, but also to provide their children with the supports they need. Along with those services, the organization provides families with resources about how they can personally support their children in the process.
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