Ten Cautions For Using Preschool Worksheets
Your little learner is growing up fast! What better way to start getting him ready for kindergarten than using worksheets? After all, preschool worksheets are great for introducing concepts like numbers, letters, shapes, and colors. Plus, worksheets help develop your child's dexterity and motor skills by having him practice holding drawing utensils like pencils, markers, colors, and crayons. Parents can argue the attributes or drawbacks of using worksheets; but they should be aware of using preschool worksheets without proper teacher instruction, too early, or incorrectly. Not convinced? Here are several reasons to reconsider.
1. Worksheets can only be used one way. Worksheets and coloring books, when used alone are generally considered convergent materials. They teach a child to think there is only one single correct way to use them, and worksheets require little if any higher-order thinking skills.
2. Worksheet-based curriculum for young learners used without supplements can lessen enthusiasm for learning due to amount of material presented. Worksheets are also used as a crutch for merely occupying a child's time.
3. Worksheets typically have a correct answer. A child learns that if they put down a wrong answer, it will be emotionally costly. Worksheets may make a child feel ignorant or incompetent, so he learns to stop taking risks by guessing. Worksheets teach a child to be correct rather than to learn.
4. Fear of being wrong with worksheets puts an unnecessary stress on a child causing behavior problems, frustration, withdrawal from participation, or even reclusiveness.
5. Worksheets do not teach a child how to follow written directions because he does not yet know how to read or write. Completed worksheets also do not mean that the child has comprehended the material.
6. Worksheets should be used for children who developmentally understand them and can profit from material. After all, if worksheets are the answer, why haven't we replaced Concord MA Preschool teachers with copy machines? The vital component of human taught concepts is necessary for young children to learn. You should not expect to place a paper in front of a child and have him learn by himself.
7. Worksheets are often used as proof of a child's progress. However, this is not evidence enough. If a child is struggling academically, the teaching practice should be re-evaluated, not the use or lack of use regarding worksheets.
8. Worksheets force you to teach the material presented, effectively making parents or teachers dependent upon them because of easy use. This in turn stifles creative, careful lesson planning that can engage a child in developing other fine motor skills.
9. Worksheets, especially used in a preschool day care setting, send a child the wrong message about having to do homework. It tells both child and parent that worksheets are the best way to learn, even if it is not appropriate for young, developing minds.
10. Worksheets do not necessarily prepare a child for kindergarten. Justifying the use of worksheets for preschoolers because that's what they need to know in kindergarten, parents often fall into a trap of peer pressure because that's what other children are using. Creating an ineffective, perpetual worksheet cycle, each successive grade learns to rely on worksheets for instruction, rather than teacher explanation.
Although preschool worksheets are often praised by parents and educators alike in preparing children for kindergarten, we must keep in mind the drawbacks of using these tools without teacher instruction, too early, or incorrectly. Even if the material itself is educational, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is suitable for your preschooler. Realize that it is important to consider both the disadvantages of preschool worksheets as well as their benefits.
Your little learner is growing up fast! What better way to start getting him ready for kindergarten than using worksheets? After all, preschool worksheets are great for introducing concepts like numbers, letters, shapes, and colors. Plus, worksheets help develop your child's dexterity and motor skills by having him practice holding drawing utensils like pencils, markers, colors, and crayons. Parents can argue the attributes or drawbacks of using worksheets; but they should be aware of using preschool worksheets without proper teacher instruction, too early, or incorrectly. Not convinced? Here are several reasons to reconsider.
1. Worksheets can only be used one way. Worksheets and coloring books, when used alone are generally considered convergent materials. They teach a child to think there is only one single correct way to use them, and worksheets require little if any higher-order thinking skills.
2. Worksheet-based curriculum for young learners used without supplements can lessen enthusiasm for learning due to amount of material presented. Worksheets are also used as a crutch for merely occupying a child's time.
3. Worksheets typically have a correct answer. A child learns that if they put down a wrong answer, it will be emotionally costly. Worksheets may make a child feel ignorant or incompetent, so he learns to stop taking risks by guessing. Worksheets teach a child to be correct rather than to learn.
4. Fear of being wrong with worksheets puts an unnecessary stress on a child causing behavior problems, frustration, withdrawal from participation, or even reclusiveness.
5. Worksheets do not teach a child how to follow written directions because he does not yet know how to read or write. Completed worksheets also do not mean that the child has comprehended the material.
6. Worksheets should be used for children who developmentally understand them and can profit from material. After all, if worksheets are the answer, why haven't we replaced Concord MA Preschool teachers with copy machines? The vital component of human taught concepts is necessary for young children to learn. You should not expect to place a paper in front of a child and have him learn by himself.
7. Worksheets are often used as proof of a child's progress. However, this is not evidence enough. If a child is struggling academically, the teaching practice should be re-evaluated, not the use or lack of use regarding worksheets.
8. Worksheets force you to teach the material presented, effectively making parents or teachers dependent upon them because of easy use. This in turn stifles creative, careful lesson planning that can engage a child in developing other fine motor skills.
9. Worksheets, especially used in a preschool day care setting, send a child the wrong message about having to do homework. It tells both child and parent that worksheets are the best way to learn, even if it is not appropriate for young, developing minds.
10. Worksheets do not necessarily prepare a child for kindergarten. Justifying the use of worksheets for preschoolers because that's what they need to know in kindergarten, parents often fall into a trap of peer pressure because that's what other children are using. Creating an ineffective, perpetual worksheet cycle, each successive grade learns to rely on worksheets for instruction, rather than teacher explanation.
Although preschool worksheets are often praised by parents and educators alike in preparing children for kindergarten, we must keep in mind the drawbacks of using these tools without teacher instruction, too early, or incorrectly. Even if the material itself is educational, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is suitable for your preschooler. Realize that it is important to consider both the disadvantages of preschool worksheets as well as their benefits.