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Picture Books
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From: Payne, Rachel <R.Payne_at_BrooklynPublicLibrary.org>
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:04:08 -0500
Some of the things I hear in the early childhood education world echo some of sentiment here as we discuss the picture book. Early childhood educators have always struggled with conveying the message to some parents that play IS learning and that the "academics" of early childhood, blocks, sand, play dough, dramatic play, etc., look different than that of older children. Many parents, who have their child's best interest at heart, feel comforted by workbooks and flash cards in classrooms for young children since that was what they remember of their own childhood learning. I wonder if picture books have fallen out of favor for some parents because they seem too playful, too "babyish," and not enough like books the parents remember reading in school.
And, as The New York Times article, many parents are responding to the trend of a more academic preschool and the pressure to learn to read in kindergarten when they abandon picture books for chapter books. Just like publishing, there are cycles in education too, and we are in a phase where academic content is being aged down, just like chapter books. Piaget's "American Question," feels alive and well these days: how can we get the children to develop faster?
Ikea has started a campaign encouraging parents to play more with their children and conveying the message that play is learning (while selling some of their playful products for kids). Seems like some sort of campaign is in order for the picture book so parents know just how much learning can take place as they playfully read with their child.
Best, Rachel
Rachel Payne Children's and Family Services Brooklyn Public Library, Neighborhood Services 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11238 Tel: 718.230.2233 ~ Fax: 718.230.2784 r.payne_at_brooklynpubliclibrary.org Visit BPL's First Five Years site for information on our services for babies, toddlers & preschoolers. P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Received on Mon 08 Nov 2010 10:04:08 AM CST
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:04:08 -0500
Some of the things I hear in the early childhood education world echo some of sentiment here as we discuss the picture book. Early childhood educators have always struggled with conveying the message to some parents that play IS learning and that the "academics" of early childhood, blocks, sand, play dough, dramatic play, etc., look different than that of older children. Many parents, who have their child's best interest at heart, feel comforted by workbooks and flash cards in classrooms for young children since that was what they remember of their own childhood learning. I wonder if picture books have fallen out of favor for some parents because they seem too playful, too "babyish," and not enough like books the parents remember reading in school.
And, as The New York Times article, many parents are responding to the trend of a more academic preschool and the pressure to learn to read in kindergarten when they abandon picture books for chapter books. Just like publishing, there are cycles in education too, and we are in a phase where academic content is being aged down, just like chapter books. Piaget's "American Question," feels alive and well these days: how can we get the children to develop faster?
Ikea has started a campaign encouraging parents to play more with their children and conveying the message that play is learning (while selling some of their playful products for kids). Seems like some sort of campaign is in order for the picture book so parents know just how much learning can take place as they playfully read with their child.
Best, Rachel
Rachel Payne Children's and Family Services Brooklyn Public Library, Neighborhood Services 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11238 Tel: 718.230.2233 ~ Fax: 718.230.2784 r.payne_at_brooklynpubliclibrary.org Visit BPL's First Five Years site for information on our services for babies, toddlers & preschoolers. P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Received on Mon 08 Nov 2010 10:04:08 AM CST
