academics vs creativity?

jenuine · February 2012

4 yo DD started a new preschool when we moved in October and is learning academics - math, reading, science, etc. - in leaps and bounds.

What concerns me is that this school has 20 minutes of music a week. Their arts and craft time is coloring with a marker on the back of recycled paper. They don't have dress up clothes or sensory activities. They go outside for 20 minutes when the weather is over 40 degrees and dry, which is rare around here.

She has 18 months before kindergarten. Her pediatrician said she should be focusing on creativity at this point and will get the academics when she starts kindie. What are your thoughts? Should I transfer a school that is more creative and less academic?

AgrippaRidesAgain · February 2012

I agree with your pediatrician, but I know that some others won't. Right now, play is the best educator. DS is in a play based preschool. He is still learning a ton of stuff, but he's doing it through songs, group activities, dress up, and crafts. Most importantly, he's learning the social skills that he kind of desperately needed. :-P

jenuine · February 2012

fredalina:
creative in their own way with fantasy play and you can supplement with art opportunities at home

This is what we are doing. She attends dance class. I host a craft play group. DH has band jam sessions with her. She has a trunk of dress up clothes that I have to bribe her to get out of.

This is when I think I should just leave her where she is. But I figure before I know it, all school will be about is reading, writing and math. This is supposed to be learning through play time, right? I am so torn.

A part of the problem is that I don't trust the teachers in her current academic school even though it's been 4 months. I have heard them yell at kids, seen them watching their iPhones while the class is running around, kids out of control on a regular basis... I just don't think their hearts are in teaching.

Thanks for the input ladies. It gives me more to think about.

jlw2505 · February 2012

I am with your pedi on this one and honestly, that preschool doesn't sound very fun to me. I think you can find a place with a way better mix. I think spending some time on academics is good but play is so important and kids can learn so much while playing. The preschool age is so important to work on the social side of things. My younger DD is at a daycare based preschool that is very much play based. They do circle times and they do work on academics but they also go outside 2x a day and I live in MN - it is only on the very cold or very hot days and rainy days that they don't go out and on those days, they do things like dance parties and bear hunts to keep the kids moving. They do a ton of arts and crafts, have dress up areas, etc. My older DD's PreK is also very much focused on creativity and learning - it is a very good mix - they do field trips, go to the gym or motor room, go outside and have a ton of stations in the room - the dramatic play area gets changed to different things every few weeks or months depending on the kids interest.

jlw2505 · February 2012

jenuine:
A part of the problem is that I don't trust the teachers in her current academic school even though it's been 4 months. I have heard them yell at kids, seen them watching their iPhones while the class is running around, kids out of control on a regular basis... I just don't think their hearts are in teaching.

Forget everything else - this statement alone would have me switching preschools tomorrow. You need to be able to trust the people that are caring for you child 100% or its not a good situation. The teachers should love what they are doing and love kids - especially when they teach at the preschool level. All of my kids teachers right now love them and show it - they give the kids hugs, they care about them and they show it in how they act towards the kids and towards me. Granted, I have been at the same daycare for 5 1/2 years and know my childs current teachers and the ones in the next room that she will move to as soon as a spot opens and they are great. My older DD is in preK for the second year and again, I totally trust the teachers and the way they act with my kids is amazing. I never worry about their safety in regard to the staff that is with them. I never worry that if something happens, they won't be taken care of, the teachers put the kids first the entire time they are with them.

KathrynMD · February 2012

Hey stranger!

I don't know that I'd worry stress about the rest of this semester, but I would definitely look for something different for this summer and next year.

bim38106 · February 2012

That would absolutely bother me. Play based was one of our top things we looked for in a good preschool. So many studies out there on why that is best.

Considering your f/u post, I would be out looking for a new preschool asap. Sorry you're having this experience.

penguingrrl · February 2012

I would transfer to a different school. None of that sounds like age appropriate learning to me. Kids feel by touching and doing. I would look for a different program.

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