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Illiterate Finnish Kindergartners
October 12, 2015
The secret to a good life is not about having a positive attitude, it’s about taking positive action.
-Paul S. Boynton author, Begin with Yes
-Paul S. Boynton author, Begin with Yes
"Forget the Common Core, Finland's youngsters are in charge of determining what happens in the classroom," boldly proclaims Tim Walker in his Atlantic article, "The Joyful, Illiterate Kindergartners of Finland."
While in the US, the Common Core dictates that children should be able to "read emergent-texts with purpose and understanding" by the end of kindergarten, in Finland children are not required to engage in formal literacy instruction until the age of six. Yet year after year Finland outperforms most nations in literacy and mathematical tests of its 15-year-olds in international tests like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
"Children learn so well through play," remarked teacher Anni-Kaisa Osei Ntiamoah to Walker. "They don't even realize that they are learning because they are so interested in what they are doing."
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Comments (9)
Displaying All 9 CommentsUnited States
I enjoy ExchangeEveryDay very much, and refer it to colleagues often. Because I have a high regard for the publication, I need to point out that your headline Illiterate Finish Kindergartners was, sadly, the height of irony. Especially as an education resource, it is really important for you to edit carefully for spelling errors. Thank you for all your work!
P.E.A.C.E.
Bethesda, MD, United States
It looks like EED's spell checker is also illiterate.
Kids World
Bellingham, Wa, United States
I hear from so many that a set of common standards is a good thing . I disagree. It is just another distraction that keeps the focus off how failed our system is .
The only Common Core should be " what is right for this child at this time" . .?
Kids World
Bellingham, Wa, United States
It's about the money. NAEYC is about money and power and controll. Long ago NAEYC stopped being about children.
Head Start
Pocatello, Idaho, United States
It is not the Common Core that is the problem. I set of common standards is a good idea - so children across the country are learning the same things at the same time. But expectations for young children in the US is not in alignment with early childhood research and until it is no structure or method will be appropriate.
Kids World
Bellingham, Wa, United States
Why do we know this and do little or nothing? State and federal programs embrace and force these " higher academic" standards. I say that it is not "higher academic" it is abusive to children to place such expectations on them.
We all say they learn through play then we allow unhealthy practice , we embrace unhealthy practice . We know it's not DAP, stop the madness.
CSBC
Denver, CO, United States
My question in this move towards standards and expecting young children to read is: where is NAEYC? They claim to represent the teachers and the field, but they have supported the use of standards and standard-approaches to curriculum and teaching. In my view they have let us down, along with the children and their parents.
Independent Earty Childhood Consultant
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
The article proves and reinforces what early childhood educators have known forever; give young children the opportunities to play, investigate, explore, etc on their own, and the learning will be so much better than rote reading/writing activities.
I often wonder if those who create policies and standards for young children have ever been with young children for periods of time, so as to carefully observe and truly absorb how it is that young children learn.. Then create policies/ standards are developed to incorporate this knowledge.
Pennsylvania, United States
We see this all the time--teachers know this--children learn through play and interaction. It's natural and has been taking place for generation upon generation. Who came along and decided that preschoolers and kindergarten-age children had to master these challenging literacy concepts? We place too much stress on our youngsters and what do we have to show for it? My motto---slow, steady and simple--if a child wants more, they will ask for more. An observant teacher will see that the child is ready for more. Teachers need to stand up for the children and not fold under these ridiculous government standards that have no roots in early childhood development. Educate the parents on how children learn--it's not by worksheets and pretending to be grade school kids---it's through play, conversation and cuddling up with a good story!
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