When I think of child development

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.
- Dr. Hiam Ginnot

This quote drives home the point that parents and caregivers are such an influence on children. I hear many parents complain about how their children yell and scream and then yell turn around and yell at their child. Children learn tone, phrases, and behaviors from what they see and hear. 


I want to thank Jo Hester and Jolene Hernandez. It has been nice to be in these past two classes with both of you. I have enjoyed learning more about both of you, personally and professionally. Thank you both.

Testing for Intelligence

I do not believe in standardized testing. Many teachers are forced to teach to the test and miss out on educating students on so many other topics. It also detracts from letting student interest guide learning. While certain topics and certain standards must be taught, I think students should also be allowed to guide some of the learning. However, teachers are on deadlines so it prevents them from getting off topic even a little. Also because they keep raising what children should know at each grade I think we are putting too much pressure on kids and expecting so much more when children get to kindergarten. My sister teaches high school and they are now seeing some negative results from teaching to the standardized test because the way the kids were taught to answer questions on that test is not what is expected when they take the ACT or SAT so the kids are failing those tests and are having to learn a whole new way to write to pass the tests for college. It is very stressful for the kids and the teachers.

I read about testing in Russia and found that in recent years they have started using standardized testing similar to U.S.'s SATs to determine graduation and entering college. According to an article in the New York Times, many people were upset about the transition and did not feel it was the best choice to replace their old system (Kishkovsky, 2011). Officials stated that the new test is all done on computer and graded by the computer so it would eliminate the bribery that was taking place by students so teachers would give them good grades (Kishkovsky, 2011).

Unfortunately while I don't believe standardized testing is the best option, I am unsure what a better option really is. Every child learns differently and understands information differently so how do you judge children fairly? I'm not sure what or if there is a correct answer to this.

Reference:
Kishkovsky, S. (2011, February 6). U.S.-style college exams take hold in Russia. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/education/07iht-educSide07.html?_r=0