Disposition to Learn

11/08/2010

Fundamental change is an endeavor, it’s a real enterprise, it’s not something that just happens. You make a choice to keep evolving and keep growing.
Twyla Tharp

In the introduction to her Exchange article, "Knowledge, Understanding, and the Disposition to Seek Both," Lilian Katz makes these observations about the current rush to set standards...

"During the last two decades federal and state educational agencies have put forward national and state standards for academic achievement for all of our children at all levels of education. Invariably, the main purposes of such standards are stated in terms of what all children “should know and be able to do.” Thus far no reference to goals such as the dispositions to use the knowledge, and to be willing to do what they are expected to become able to do, have been seen. In other words, these national and state documents omit reference to the importance of young children "wanting to know" and becoming “eager to do” — or in any other sense, strengthening and supporting positive dispositions to go on learning and to use what is learned. Furthermore, performance standards that emphasize the acquisition of knowledge tend to omit reference to the importance of understanding the knowledge, or reference to the disposition to seek understanding.

"For children growing up to become responsible participants in a democracy, the disposition to seek understanding of the complex issues and decisions for which we all share responsibility should be a major goal of education at every level. At the preschool level this goal means supporting young children’s natural nosiness about things and events around them worth understanding. The disposition to seek understanding is one of several important inborn dispositions that early childhood educators should strive to support and strengthen, by providing a wide range of opportunities for young children to explore and investigate important aspects of their environments and experiences."

Prepare Your Children for Kindergarten!

NEW! Scholastic Big Day for PreK builds the foundation for success in school and life! Learn more!

Franchise with Primrose Schools

You’ve built a strong foundation. Now, make what you do even more rewarding. By converting to a Primrose School, our proven model could help save you time and money. A premium program could mean premium pricing.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.