How should Mrs. Johnson respond to their questions?
Mrs. Johnson should engage the parents and assure them that the children will meet the state's new kindergarten curriculum requirements as the center equips children with hands-on and academic skills. Besides, Mrs. Johnson should explain to the parents the importance of including hands-on and developmental experiences in their children's learning. As the director, Mrs. Johnson should reinstate confidence to the parents that the center's curriculum that joins academic and hands-on learning is more beneficial to the kids' overall growth and performance regardless of having mixed attentions.
What would you do if you were Mrs. Johnson? Why?
If I were Mrs. Johnson, I would focus more on the children's academics through a gradual transition strategy to give the children time to adapt to the new system. I would initiate a learning system that ascertains academic learning even as children learn hands-on skills. For example, children would be required to identify colors and shapes of objects used in modeling and art. Besides, I would encourage teachers-parents partnership in ensuring that the kids learn both in school and at home. Parents would have a role to help children learn at home to reinforce what the school teaches.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Is there a way to ensure families that children are learning through these hands-on activities while still meeting curriculum galls and learning standards? Will they be ready for kindergarten?
Mrs. Johnson should urge parents to visit the school and experience what the school teaches. Parents are likely to be more content and supportive of parent-teachers partnership initiatives after inviting them to verify what the school offers. Also, the school should have continuous assessment tests to gauge the children's understanding and mastery of academic content. With assessment results, the school will identify areas to improve while parents will be assured of their children's preparedness to enter kindergarten.
Who should determine the center’s curriculum: the state, the program’s board of directors, the director, the teachers, the families, or the kindergarten teachers who will be teaching these children next year?
The state should determine the center's curriculum to guarantee uniformity and education standards in all centers. With a common curriculum, all children across the state will have uniform experiences necessary in higher classes as stipulated in initiatives such as the Common Care State Standards (Andrew & Lee, 2019). Also, the state curriculum will moderate the quality of education given to the children across the kids. With set academic objectives, all centers will have competence indicators besides any experience given to the kids.
Reference
Andrew, M. I. & Lee, J. D. (2019). State Academic Standards: What You Need to Know. Understood . https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/tests-standards/state-academic-standards-what-you-need-to-know
