Einstein Never Used Flash Cards

[pinkpinot]

I toured a preschool today and they gave me this handout, I CANNOT find it online it's from Science & Society December 2003 called "The Power of Simple Play" by Katy Kelly.

I found it really encouraging, especially in the wake of coloringgate2014 (lol), that we don't need to be up in our kid's faces 24/7 with flash cards for them to be smart. We confuse memorization with achievement.

I am going to type this entire thing out because I think it's awesome and maybe it's something we need to hear, because you ARE doing a good job and you can just let your kids play and they'll learn.

Today's parents are trying to do it right: Mozart for the baby in utero, educational toys for the toddler, spelling software for the aspiring kindergartner. Modern American parenting has become an expensive and often exhausting investment in a stellar future. "Everybody wants to have a kid that no employer will ever let go and no college will ever say no to," says Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, director of the Infant Language Development Project at the University of Delaware. The problem, she says, is that we are really working against these goals. In the recent published book 'Einstein Never Used Flash Cards', Golinkoff and coauthor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, director of the Infant Language Laboratory at Temple University, make the case for a much simpler approach.

Today's parents expect a lot of their children and themselves, right?
KHP: We are told that faster is better, that we must make every minute count, and that our children are empty vessels waiting to be filled. Parents believe it's best for kids to learn to read early. They think kids should not be starting school ready to learn but already having learned. We've taken elementary school and pushed it down to preschool.

So we buy smart toys?
KHP: Yes. We have parents of newborns asking us, "When should I start the flashcards?" The marketplace knows parents are eager, so it makes products that claim to make your child's brain bigger and smarter. Yet there's not a shred of evidence that any of these products have any effect on kid's heads. The electronic smart toys are based on fact learning. We are confusing memorization with achievement. The toys have flashy gizmos and make cool sounds but do not offer a real advantage.

Is there evidence to back that up?
KHP: We know a tremendous amount about how young children learn, based on 30 years of wonderful science. The research shows that real learning has to take place in context - and that play is the best teacher. Children learn a tremendous amount through everyday living: playing with other children, creating stories together, finding patterns in the leaves, and figuring out that if there are four people coming for dinner, you need to set four plates, four forks, and four napkins. Young children can learn about physics with blocks. What they don't need to do is go around reciting E=mc2.

Isn't a child better off going to school knowing the states or how to add?
KHC: There appears to be no real advantage to pushing kids ahead. And there are some disadvantages. We push them into being perfectionists. When we teach them that there is one right answer and that the product is all that matters, kids become anxious if they can't produce. Memorizing teaches them to be invested in the grade, not in the process of learning. Also, by giving them a constant stream of activities and enrolling them in a constant stream of classes, kids become so used to us structuring activities for them that they're at a loss when they don't have an activity. We're developing a generation of kids who favorite words are, "I'm bored." They don't know how to be independent. By treating kids as if they're simply thinking machines, we are giving them short shrift to their emotional development.

What toys should parents buy?
KHC: Toys that foster self expression: crayons, play-DOH, K'nex, and Legos. I love blocks, Brio, and any other toys that allow kids to create their own story, like Playmobil characters, a costume drawer, tea sets, kitchenware, dolls, puppets. Zero budget toys are empty boxes that can become taxicabs and forts. Pots and pans become rhythm instruments and nesting cups. Take field trips to the backyard to learn how ants crawl on a stick. If we give them computerized toys with one right answer they will never grow up to be creative problem solvers.

Technology is changing fast, parents feel the child's future depends on taking advantages of every "learning opportunity"
KHP: The children of the 21st century are going to have a lot of facts at their fingertips. With search engines you don't have to have all this junk memorized. But they do need to know how to take all those facts and combine things in new and interesting ways to create solutions. The kids who can are going to be the bosses of the future. The people who know only facts are the worker bees.

[Marmee]

This has been my philosophy even though I had no real basis. . I love this part...makes me feel like I'm doing just fine as a SAHM even though I send my kids off to school where they are always "behind" their classmates in terms of memorizing stuff. They literally spend their days at home using all these things plus interacting with each other or being outside.


"What toys should parents buy?
KHC: Toys that foster self expression: crayons, play-DOH, K'nex, and Legos. I love blocks, Brio, and any other toys that allow kids to create their own story, like Playmobil characters, a costume drawer, tea sets, kitchenware, dolls, puppets. Zero budget toys are empty boxes that can become taxicabs and forts. Pots and pans become rhythm instruments and nesting cups. Take field trips to the backyard to learn how ants crawl on a stick. If we give them computerized toys with one right answer they will never grow up to be creative problem solvers. "

[rugbywife]

I keep trying to convince both teachers and parents of this:

" We are confusing memorization with achievement"…

memorizing multiplication facts doesn't mean you actually have ANY clue at all what you are doing when it comes to multiplication.

[pinkpinot]

Louisa May: it made me feel good as a SAHM too because I cannot compete with daycares and curriculums. I'm not a teacher. I've been feeling really down on myself lately that I haven't been "doing enough" and this helped me see that even when my kid is sitting in dirt playing with sticks, he is learning. I have to stop confusing memorization with learning.

[rugbywife]

I will always tell parents…take your kids on a walk and talk about nature, go to the zoo and talk about animals (unless you are my husband and have moral objections, sigh), go to the grocery store and talk about money or measurement, bake with them, read a book with your kid, build a tree house with your kid, do some art, do crafts…all more valuable than a math worksheet. Don't have time to always be doing things with them? That's fine - buy them lego, play doh (or make it), send them out into the back yard and ask them to bring 5 interesting things back to you.

BUt for the love of god, don't let them play Call of Duty for 5 hours after school. At 6. (IT HAPPENS).

[lilac05]

Yes! Love it!

Thanks for sharing.

[redheadk]

Oct 1, 2014 18:36:13 GMT -5 rugbywife said:

I keep trying to convince both teachers and parents of this:

" We are confusing memorization with achievement"…

memorizing multiplication facts doesn't mean you actually have ANY clue at all what you are doing when it comes to multiplication.

I had a students that was so good at memorizing things that she could pass state tests despite having an IQ in the mentally retarded range. 

Similarly, an ability to word call =/= an ability to read. Also a hard idea for some to wrap their minds around.

[sjh722]

I love this. Thanks for sharing!

[mainelyfoolish]

I read that book a couple of years ago. It's very good. Not that I was ever going to drill my preschooler with flash cards, but I found it really interesting to read about the science behind how young children learn.

[meij]

This is great! I love that a preschool was handing these out. I think a lot of daycares have felt pressured to have more involved curriculums and school based focus because parents think their kids need that over play based. Parents are looking for flash cards and promises of basic addition at two over block corners and house centers.

It has been interesting to see daycare/preschool names go from names like Kids Time, Tina's Tots, Kids R Kids or whatever to Ivy League Daycare, Park Academy, Little Professors.

[starlily]

The first daycare we sent DD1 to handed this article out with their intro packet. It was one of the reasons I loved them so much.

ETA: As a FTM, this article helped me not stress out about teaching DD1 stuff and instead just focus on playing with DD1.

[teatimefor2]

Loved that and I'm going to get the book out at the library

[teatimefor2]

Loved that and I'm going to get the book out at the library.

[teatimefor2]

Loved that and I'm going to get the book out at the library.

[rbp]

Oct 1, 2014 21:21:17 GMT -5 meij said:

This is great! I love that a preschool was handing these out. I think a lot of daycares have felt pressured to have more involved curriculums and school based focus because parents think their kids need that over play based. Parents are looking for flash cards and promises of basic addition at two over block corners and house centers.

It has been interesting to see daycare/preschool names go from names like Kids Time, Tina's Tots, Kids R Kids or whatever to Ivy League Daycare, Park Academy, Little Professors.

OMG. centers like this exist? :-#

[pinkpinot]

Oct 1, 2014 22:48:31 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

thanks for the reminder to unclench with my 2.5 year old.

being a ftp and learning how to raise him right is really hard for me to figure out.

I really need to unclench. My kid is 1.5 and I've toured a preschool. This article made me feel like I can relax now, haha. He's not doomed.

[osulori]

Yes yes YES! I can't tell you guys how many kids I've seen for evaluations or therapy where the parent has said:

-he knows all the pictures on his flashcards (but can't name or ask for the same things in any other context)
-she knows her colors/shapes/letters (but doesn't wave hi/bye)
-they looove the iPad and "play" their educational games for hours if we let them! (but don't know how to functionally play with regular toys or interact with others during play).

etc etc etc.

[noodleskooze]

I love this!

I have been feeling bad that Leo doesn't have "set" things he is learning, and I know his babysitter isn't "teaching" him things, but this article showed me that his exploring and curiosity is teaching him so much.

[ssmjlm]

This was a really good reminder that letting kids be kids is ok.

[noodleskooze]

pinkpinot if you ever do find the document or article online somewhere, please follow up. I would love to share this with a few people!

[pinkpinot]

Oct 2, 2014 8:14:36 GMT -5 noodleskooze said:

pinkpinot if you ever do find the document or article online somewhere, please follow up. I would love to share this with a few people!

I can scan it and email it to you to have a copy. And I'll definitely update if I can find it online.

[dulcemariamar]

Thanks for posting it. It is stressful when so many parents keep on setting the bar so high on all aspects of parenting.

[pinkpinot]

Oct 2, 2014 8:23:33 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Thanks for posting it. It is stressful when so many parents keep on setting the bar so high on all aspects of parenting.

Totally agree. And sucks for them because in a couple of years all they're going to hear is "MOM, I'M BORED!!!!"

[imojoebunny]

Oct 1, 2014 21:10:38 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Oct 1, 2014 18:36:13 GMT -5 rugbywife said:

I keep trying to convince both teachers and parents of this:

" We are confusing memorization with achievement"…

memorizing multiplication facts doesn't mean you actually have ANY clue at all what you are doing when it comes to multiplication.

I had a students that was so good at memorizing things that she could pass state tests despite having an IQ in the mentally retarded range. 

Similarly, an ability to word call =/= an ability to read. Also a hard idea for some to wrap their minds around.

Lately, I find myself explaining repeatedly that memorizing math facts does not indicate math ability, any more than being good at spelling makes you a great writer.  I have a friend who got a PhD in math under a noble prize winning Mathamatician.  My friend wasn't even good at math, until she got to calculus.  

[CrazyLucky]

Like everything else, moderation is the key. DS loves using an app we have that teaches him to tell time. He is not memorizing. He is learning. But most of the time he's just running around like the crazy 4 year old he is.

[dulcemariamar]

Oct 2, 2014 8:26:40 GMT -5 pinkpinot said:

Oct 2, 2014 8:23:33 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Thanks for posting it. It is stressful when so many parents keep on setting the bar so high on all aspects of parenting.

Totally agree. And sucks for them because in a couple of years all they're going to hear is "MOM, I'M BORED!!!!"

Yup. As a SAHM, I understand getting out of the house to go to play dates and classes makes it more enjoyable for everyone. But I think it is good for my kid to try to amuse herself some days at home while I get stuff done. I see some parents who jam pack their weekends with fun trips, outings, festivals, etc every single weekend. I think that is bad when you are constantly putting so much pressure on yourself to keep your kid happy and amused.

[simpsongal]

Awesome - so proceed as planned with parenting

Seriously, I want to buy a billboard and post this in Northern Virginia. Sooooo many of our preschools have words like "Academy" in them.

[kershnic]

Oct 2, 2014 2:02:48 GMT -5 rbp said:

Oct 1, 2014 21:21:17 GMT -5 meij said:

This is great! I love that a preschool was handing these out. I think a lot of daycares have felt pressured to have more involved curriculums and school based focus because parents think their kids need that over play based. Parents are looking for flash cards and promises of basic addition at two over block corners and house centers.

It has been interesting to see daycare/preschool names go from names like Kids Time, Tina's Tots, Kids R Kids or whatever to Ivy League Daycare, Park Academy, Little Professors.

OMG. centers like this exist? :-#

I drive by a daycare with the words Ivy League in the name almost everyday. Barf. And I went to an Ivy League school and still feel that way. I want my kids to play.

[pinkpinot]

My kid is very independent (nothing I did, he came that way) and I always have this inner battle of pulling him away from whatever he's doing and sitting him down and getting him to learn (memorize) something. So yeah, this article really validated my feelings of letting him go and to stop feeling guilty. When he wants me we'll do something together but if he's happy and content I am leaving him and I won't feel like a bad mom.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I love this -- thank for posting!

I absolutely agree with it.

One of the absolute best things about parenting that I have learned from co-parenting with my husband is how to encourage casual learning like the article talks about. DH is just naturally really good at asking, "well, why do YOU think the blocks fell down?" or saying "you know, when I'm trying to do X, what I like to do is ..." (instead of saying -- "here's how you do X," like there's only one right way).

I've said before that I'm all about benign neglect as a parenting strategy. I pretty much expect my kids to amuse themselves when we're home. And DD1, in paricular, really requires a large amount of unstructured play time at home in order to decompress and be at her best.

Also I've heard before that problem solving skills come from creativity, and one way to encourage your child to develop her creative mind is through unstructured play --play doh, blocks, arts and crafts that involves free reign with the supplies and not a guided step by step "craft."