Open discussion: What value have you - or your...

From your perspective, does preschool work?

The program description from Early Lessons caught my eye:

The Perry Preschool Project is one of the most famous education experiments of the last 50 years. The study asked a question: Can preschool boost the IQ scores of poor African-American children and prevent them from failing in school? The surprising results are now challenging widely-held notions about what helps people succeed - in school, and in life.

Did it work? What value have you - or your children - gained from preschool? Does it address the achievement gap?

Explore the Early Lessons documentary from American RadioWorks : Download the radio program, listen online, or read the transcript.
MPR NewsQ Commentary: If white kids were on the other side of the achievement gap, by Daniel Jett
The Education Achievement Gap Idea Generator, hosted by MPR's Public Insight Journalism team

This is an open opinion-based discussion, so you're welcome to link to your related Gather articles or other online resources. Your comments & articles may be quoted on American Public Media or Minnesota Public Radio web sites.

________________
Julia Schrenkler
Interactive Producer
American Public Media
Minnesota Public Radio
Objects in Mirror

Comments: 10

Bridget ♥ Nov 1, 2009, 3:30pm EST

Neither one of my children went to preschool.

Julia Schrenkler Nov 3, 2009, 12:02pm EST

Did their peers at school?

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Larry M. Nov 1, 2009, 4:31pm EST

You mean besides learning to read and math? Well, it was day care while her parents worked.

Julia Schrenkler Nov 3, 2009, 12:03pm EST

Sorry Larry, I'm doubling back because I want to be sure I understand:

Did your kid go to preschool, or did she pick up some basics at daycare?

Larry M. Nov 3, 2009, 12:31pm EST

My daughter was in a remarkable daycare situation. The woman was teaching her son to read (at age two he was reading novels) and my daughter "played" along with him. Then at age 4 she was doing Montessori materials at another daycare. At age 5 she entered a Montessori school for four years and by age six reading had "clicked" and she could read anything she wanted. Naturally, all this time period I read to her a lot at home, particularly on those days she was sick.

Julia Schrenkler Nov 8, 2009, 10:54am EST

Funny how "play" at learning to read grows into reading. It sounds like a remarkable start for your daughter.

Larry M. Nov 8, 2009, 12:58pm EST

She had done splendidly since then. I am one proud father.

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Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 8, 2009, 10:58am EST

I went.

I wasn't lonely with all those other kids. Otherwise my older brothers had all gone off to school and TV was such a bore.

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Amanda J. Nov 8, 2009, 11:04am EST

I think it really depends on the child's homelife. Some children benefit greatly, while others may be better off at home. If a child is not talked to or read to at home preschool will help develop early literacy skills.

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Liz H. Nov 8, 2009, 11:32am EST

I think a good preschool/daycare succeeds when it has the tools, toys, and structure available for the child, for when the child is ready. And young children go through so many stages, so quickly, that it's almost a case of letting them have at it, while you stand out of the way, or gently (re)direct their interest toward other choices.

I'm thinking of a boy in a preschool where I taught, who for about 2 weeks went through a Fred Rogers stage. He came in to the classroom, went to the Creative Play area, took the zippered vest from its hook, zipped it on, then went around to the teachers and said "Hello Neighbor." Then he was ready for his regular Montessori. When it was time to clean up, he did so, unzipped the vest and hung it on its hook, and lined up for Group. All very serene. He just needed to be Fred Rogers for awhile, and then he moved on to something else.

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Open discussion: What value have you - or your children - gained from preschool?

Comments: 10

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