Posted on 01/22/2007 7:09:26 AM PST by Cat loving Texan
I have a real problem with the Texas Federation of Teachers!
I can't find much fault with this place. I'm sick of seeing people push their babies to read and write at the earliest possible age (so they can show off that they have a little genius). I think the only formal education a child this young should have is the kind they get all snuggled up in a lap listening to mommy or daddy read them a book.
Thanks but no thanks. Homeschooling, year 7. Hopefully my kids will never see the inside of a child detention center.
Sounds more like a day-care than a school.
If that's the episode where they all drive hybrids and sniff their own flatulence, yes!
I'm so ashamed to admit that I love that show...... :)
Militant
That's particulary relevant to old recoving ex-psychotherapists like ol' Militant here....
Makes me shiver!
Militant
I hate the TFT, and think it's hilarious that a communications director for the state's leading public school Teacher union is sending his kids to private school (however wacky the school istelf is).
Wonder how many other Teachers' union thugs send their kids to private school.
But I bet they know everything about Kwanzaa.
"I can't find much fault with this place. I'm sick of seeing people push their babies to read and write at the earliest possible age (so they can show off that they have a little genius). I think the only formal education a child this young should have is the kind they get all snuggled up in a lap listening to mommy or daddy read them a book."
I don't necessarily disagree with you...but this place is not even reinforcing manners...
Up here...in the Seattle area..these kind of places are EVERYWHERE...EVERYWHERE!
There are VERY FEW RULES...NO ROUTINES (although the one mentioned above DOES have naptime)...
I would maintain that even in a NO FORMAL EDUCATION environment that there should be some kind of structure...Ie..."Please choose between playing with clay and coloring"...
These are the kind of places that would never even have a coloring BOOK because the pictures would be CONFINING in that the child would not be allowed to choose what they wanted to draw..and LINES suggest that you must stay WITHIN them..
Also..the idea that a child must stick TO something, like sitting down for 3 minutes of singing time is TOO CONSTRAINING..children should be able to wander around and CHOOSE when they want to sit down...
Forcing any WHOLE GROUP activities fosters a PACK mentality which represses creativity and leads to a mindset where one must FOLLOW THE CROWD...
Need I go on??
I TOTALLY understand what YOU are saying...but what I AM SAYING is that this kind of place is EXTREME...
What you are saying(I think) is let kids be kids....but I am guessing(just because you are a FReeper;-) that you would assert that there are certain times during childhood where one must "learn the proper way to behave"..
If this center (above) is anything like the ones around HERE..their ONLY goal is to teach non-violent ways of working out problems..
THAT IS ALL..there are NO OTHER GUIDELINES..none..nada...zero..
My son is on the wait-list for this school. This school has been recommended by his current daycare’s director as well as the Early Childhood Intervention worker assigned to us b/c of my son’s hyperactivity and tendency toward aggressive when there’s crowding and expectations for him to sit still or wait in line. He’s only 2 1/2!
He has been assessed as being advanced in all areas (cognitive, verbal, emotional, physical) for his age, but he needs more space and freedom than a crowded daycare room with no where to climb and explore without being scolded constantly.
Read this testimonial from a Habibi’s Hutch parent:
“The first time I walked through the door of the Hutch, I cried. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Children running and playing freely. Children working together to resolve conflicts. Children huddled around a teacher reading a book. At Habibi’s, there are no time-outs, no scolding, no shaming. Instead, teachers actually take the time to communicate with children about behavior, consequences, and solutions. It’s unheard of, and yet, it’s the only way to responsibly treat our children and the only way to raise responsible adults. My son attended Habibi’s for three-and-a-half wonderful years. When he started kindergarten, he continued going to Habibi’s after school. I know that every afternoon he is getting at Habibi’s what he is not getting at public school all day – freedom to make decisions, to experience consequences, and to discuss solutions, not to mention freedom to run and climb to his heart’s content. My son is now in first grade and just got his report card. He is excelling in every subject and is described as a “quiet leader” by his teacher. He would not be who he is today without Habibi’s Hutch.”
another parent writes:
“How many times have we heard teachers say they love Habibi’s kids because they are ready for the next step and know how to function in the world. My kids have developed their self-esteem and are better people for having been exposed to Habibi’s Hutch.”
I spoke with an Early Childhood Intervention work and she told me that this school (Habibi’s) is actually very structured. They have rules regarding respect and they have routines. When it is outside time it is outside time. I witnessed teachers explain rules to children when I was there, and was impressed with the level of respect the teachers had for the child’s intelligence. It went beyond ‘b/c I said so.’ There is immense consistency at Habibi’s, that helps the kid’s feel taken care of and safe. Within that framework however they are free to explore their own creativity and the tools/resources around them.
Wow Coffee Cat.
If you have found a place that will allow children to run around, AND prepare them for the expectations of life including the times that they have to “sit”, you have won the preschool lottery.
Good luck to you and your son.
I wish you the best.
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