I thought you all might find this kind of interesting. The quote I'm going to share with you came from a local newspaper's website comments. The newspaper article was about the new public 4K being introduced this fall in an area school district. There were comments for and against the 4K. This one is from a person who is for 4K. "How do you propose a parent teach social skills? The best way to learn social skills is to have your child interact with other children." How would you respond to that? Would you even respond at all?
In a comment section--no. In a conversation. . .I'd ask for them to define socialization or ask what they consider to be good social skills. Or I'd just do something obnoxiously gross like pick my nose and say, "I don't get whatchya mean?"
First of all, I'd crack up laughing. I mean. Wow. Can that person even be serious!!!??? How can social skills be taught by other 4yos that need constant adult attention just to keep from, oh, you know, beating each other out of frustration? How dumb. Just dumb.
Well you know, up until the last couple of hundred years people had no social skills because there were no schools to teach them... Back then if you wanted your children to have social skills you sent them 2 miles away to the neighbor's kids to teach them how to act around other people. hehe
I was thinking take them outside to a park...I'm sure they'll be kids there. Geez I can walk out into my neighborhood...love it here by the way... and get kids the same age, younger or older!!! Hmmm....would they be socializing if they played together?!?! (waiting for the temps to get nice & the "crud" bug to go away)!!!
EXACTLY! That's what I've always said! This "socialization" issue is blown WAY out of proportion, I think! What on earth did kids do before public school then?! Must've just wasted away! And now they want to take our little ones at earlier and earlier ages! WHY?! Why is it that suddenly parents have no clue how to raise kids once they turn 4 or 5? Kids back then did fine! I think they do fine now too! Why is socialization with a bunch of kids their same age so very important? Church, scout activities, 4-H, homeschool groups, sports, neighborhood friends, classes like art, dance and gymnastics, Library story time, etc., etc., etc. ARE socialization! Homeschoolers also have better socialization with kids of other ages and adults, because they're around them more and feel more comfortable! I'd rather my kids get their value system from our family, and have close family bonds, instead of them being reliant on peers only for their social awareness!
Love all the responses and agree 100%. LOL. I find that comment just ignornant. I mean a 4 year old is supposed to teach 4 year olds about socialization? I am not sure whoever thought getting toddlers and young kids together was a good idea to begin with. I mean, I have never seen a child improve soically from simply being around other children. I guess if you think learning that pulling Susie's hair and getting put in time out is socialization then go ahead and enroll.
why they did the 4K in the first place This quote from the actual newspaper article is rather sad, I think. "Officials estimated that about 250 of the district’s 689 kindergartners were not prepared for the kindergarten curriculum when they entered school last September. The fact that so many children were not ready for school at age 5 was a major argument that led to school-board approval of the new program." Obviously, kindergarten and 4K is not legally required in my state, but I just think it is sad that this is the way things are going. Just my opinion. Also, this particular school district has to take money out of it's new textbook fund to put toward the 4K. They do get a state grant for part of the program though. This district has been having budget cuts the last few years also. The teachers' morale in the district is currently low because they are working under an old contract and there are many legal issues.
I agree with everyone here! How is a parent supposed to teach socialization? My answer: They aren't supposed to "teach" it. Social skills are not something you "teach". They are something you learn from everyday interaction with a wide variety of people. So going to church, the grocery store, the library, maybe dance or sports if a kid is into that at age 4, spending time with grandparents, friends and neighbors - that is how children develope social skills. Not by sitting still and not talking to a bunch of kids the same age. Doesn't the teacher always say "socialize on your own time"? And I never am around nothing but other 32 year olds all day and I manage to get along just fine.
"Socialization skills taught by my family is what is keeping my child from poking you in the eyes, kicking you in the shins and screaming her bloody head off."
