Comments on: Lily Heads for Kindergarten

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:01:08 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Tina, and for all your wonderful work in the world on behalf of children. Chip

By: Tina Valentine

Tina Valentine — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:07:58 +0000

Thank you Chip for reminding me of my daughter Sarah’s Kindergarten experience.
I know with all her struggles Kindergarten set a tone for her that led her to love school and be a confident learner. My fear is that we no longer let kindergartners develop a love for school by overwhelming them with content before they are ready. Thank you, I so enjoy your blog and look forward to more of your wonderful writings that continue to make me think!! Tina

By: Chip

Chip — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:03:07 +0000

Angela – Thanks for extending the metaphor so beautifully! A great tale and a wonderful reminder, Thanks, Chip

By: Chip

Chip — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:01:06 +0000

Mary – Thanks for your heartfelt wishes and your life-long contributions as a K teacher! Chip

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:42:54 +0000

My son-in-law described his recollection of how his dad taught him to swim
when he was small. His dad lowered him into a creek with a strong current.
As his little boy thrashed around in the water stretched out in a prone position, his dad ran along the creek bed downstream and after several minutes reached down to lift him out. As my son-in-law told me this story he concluded that he really was convinced he could swim and was fearless when he was faced with a real swimming pool experience! What a good reminder in the context of Chip’s article–teachers need to be ever mindful of the flow of ideas and where they take us as learners–sometimes teachers need to lift the learners up and out of situations might overwhelm them.

By: Mary Myron

Mary Myron — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:25:16 +0000

I can totally relate! My grandson is going to Kindergarten this year too and i wish for him just as you wish for Lily. My daughter has taken great care to find a very wonderful school htat I believe will provide these opportunities for him. I am a kindergarten teacher in another state and so I will be thinking of my Franklin as I interact with my little Ks…and take special care to provide these opportunities for them.

By: Chip

Chip — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:02:28 +0000

Kelly – You are so right and I’m glad you are teaching and preserving such a place for your Kindergarten children. Best, Chip

By: Chip

Chip — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:01:19 +0000

Thanks, Rosalea – Now we have Common Core Standards, that, while a good idea and carefully constructed, may well further endanger the precious time for constructive play and the joyful learning of our five and six year olds. We all have to stay centered on what we know from our experiences in the classroom is best for our youngest students. Chip