When I Think of Child Development

A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer. ~Author Unknown

While we try to teach our children all about life,

Our children teach us what life is all about.

~Angela Schwindt

Which way is the school bus going? Left or right?

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/02/24/exercise-your-brains-visual-logic-brain-teaser/

This was given to me a few years back in an email chain, and I always think about it when I think of a child's mind. Children see things completely differently then what many adults do. We need to remember that and open our minds as we teach. We can learn so much from our students and they in return will learn from us.

I want to say thanks to all my colleagues. I have learned so much from each and every one of you. You all have opened my eyes to new ideas and encouraged me to think outside the box. Special thanks to Dr. Darragh for the continuing support that you have given me throughout this course. I will take the knowledge that I have gained from everyone and put it to great use where ever I go.

I wish everyone the best of luck in their adventure in finishing this program and I hope to see many of you in the next set of classes!

Testing for Intelligence?

I have mixed opinions on whether children should be assessed and what skills should be measured. To assess a child I believe that it should be something besides a test on paper with a time limit. There are so many variables that can lower a test score that is not the child’s fault. Scores can be low and children can be left behind due to a simple times test that might not even assess information that they have been taught. I believe that children should be assessed in math and writing, so that we are able to help them learn what needs to be learned. To do this, I believe that children should be assessed on an individual basis with no pressure of being done during a specific amount of time. I was a horrible test taker and would have anxiety attacks when I knew that I was going to be assessed. The teachers were stressed, trying to cram everything in and that would rub off on me, and I would get stressed out. When test time came, I would freak, and would have a hard time concentrating. In fourth grade, we were told that if we didn’t pass the test, we would not move on to the next grade. That kind of pressure should not be put on a child. Not only do they get pressure like that, but they also get the pressure to do well on their ACT and SAT scores so that they can go to a good college. I don’t understand why these scores would determine my ability to take classes at a university.

In Ireland children take standardized test, but it seems that the information taken is just for the teachers. They use that information to make individual plans for their students and can have some students opt out of the test if they are not capable of taking the test. During primary school they only have to take a standardized test twice. The test seems to show achievements and pick out students with higher learning then children with lower learning.