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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Kinda Upset With Speech Pathologist
Josiegirl 03:29 PM 05-08-2015
One of my dcgs, 3 yo, has 2 visits per week, with 2 different women. The one that came today emailed dcm after she was here. Evidently she thinks it'd be a good idea for dcg to go to preschool. The dcm does not like our local school and told the woman so. The woman then suggested some local daycares now offer a preschool program. (Because of the whole new preschool thing, I guess it's become all important for all little people to have that structured preschool setting) 
I find it sad and irritating, to say the least. I know there has been much conversation on here about structure vs. unstructured, preschool vs. learning through play, etc. The only structure I offer is meals, naps, and outside time. Everything else is flexible, varied, and they're always learning in their own way and time. If kids want to play blocks all day, we find ways to make that interesting and a learning experience. If they feel like painting, that's what we do, etc., etc.
As dcm was telling me all this and I felt myself getting pi$$ed at the speech woman, dcm started saying she was NOT switching, she loved having her dd right where she was and maybe when she's 4 she'd make that step. I'm so glad there are still some parents out there who feel this way.
I just loathe that small children are being pushed into learning in ways that they're not ready for. They'll hit burn-out before their teen years.
I find it sad and irritating, to say the least. I know there has been much conversation on here about structure vs. unstructured, preschool vs. learning through play, etc. The only structure I offer is meals, naps, and outside time. Everything else is flexible, varied, and they're always learning in their own way and time. If kids want to play blocks all day, we find ways to make that interesting and a learning experience. If they feel like painting, that's what we do, etc., etc.As dcm was telling me all this and I felt myself getting pi$$ed at the speech woman, dcm started saying she was NOT switching, she loved having her dd right where she was and maybe when she's 4 she'd make that step. I'm so glad there are still some parents out there who feel this way.
I just loathe that small children are being pushed into learning in ways that they're not ready for. They'll hit burn-out before their teen years.
Sunchimes 05:55 PM 05-08-2015
Gosh, my dcks OT is just the opposite. She wants her clients here. She is already trying to line up a kid for me for an opening the end of August. I would be very offended if she said that without a very good reason. Actually, the last child to leave left because she felt he needed a more rigid situation which I agreed with 100%.
Thriftylady 05:59 PM 05-08-2015
Wow, my DD went to headstart while I was doing daycare, and I was not impressed. She learned NOTHING. In fact the next year she went to kindy and they wanted to put her in with the severely autistic kids. She is super smart, but wasn't "preforming" the way they would expect for her IQ. Turns out she needed held back a year to catch up because she has a July birthday, but the school she was in wouldn't dream of it. We moved here to Ohio and they held her back a year (like I asked them to do in Kindy but they wouldn't) and now she is a sophmore in HS and has all her classes next year except two (Spanish 3 and Pre Calculus) are college classes. Those two are not, because a dual credit is not offered for them. Three of them she is taking online because they are not offered in her HS. Sometimes, giving a kid some time makes all the difference.
spedmommy4 07:39 PM 05-08-2015
That SLP needs to stick to her profession. I just finished a graduate program in early childhood special education and current research shows two very important things:
1. Pushing academics during the preschool years is stressful to young children. Further, they actually benefit far more from learning social skills. (I imagine kids with good social skills make Kindergarten teachers happy too
)
2. Children "learn" best through play!
http://educationnext.org/much-too-early/
1. Pushing academics during the preschool years is stressful to young children. Further, they actually benefit far more from learning social skills. (I imagine kids with good social skills make Kindergarten teachers happy too
)2. Children "learn" best through play!
http://educationnext.org/much-too-early/
Josiegirl 04:13 AM 05-09-2015
My question is should I approach her and ask why she thinks this dcg should be switched? What she's lacking here?
This is a home environment with different ages. I offer different-aged materials and share my attention with everyone when I can, at each child's level. Speech lady suggests more structure for this dcg.
I'm just kinda angry about it and I don't even know why, especially since dcm has already firmly stated she's not going anywhere for at least another year.
This 'specialist' has seen dcg 30 minutes a week since February. I've had dcg for 2 years. How can she know what's best for dcg?
This is a home environment with different ages. I offer different-aged materials and share my attention with everyone when I can, at each child's level. Speech lady suggests more structure for this dcg.
I'm just kinda angry about it and I don't even know why, especially since dcm has already firmly stated she's not going anywhere for at least another year.
This 'specialist' has seen dcg 30 minutes a week since February. I've had dcg for 2 years. How can she know what's best for dcg?
spedmommy4 04:49 AM 05-09-2015
Are you comfortable approaching her? If so, I would. I would tell her that dcg has been with you for several years. And that while you appreciate her concern for dcg, dcg is supported and has relationships with peers, which are not cannot be replaced. In fact, childcare transitions in general are often incredibly stressful for young children. (She should know that) I would go on to say that formal academics at a young age are not considered best practice in early childhood. However, your child care uses a play based curriculum, which is best practice.
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
My question is should I approach her and ask why she thinks this dcg should be switched? What she's lacking here?
This is a home environment with different ages. I offer different-aged materials and share my attention with everyone when I can, at each child's level. Speech lady suggests more structure for this dcg.
I'm just kinda angry about it and I don't even know why, especially since dcm has already firmly stated she's not going anywhere for at least another year.
This 'specialist' has seen dcg 30 minutes a week since February. I've had dcg for 2 years. How can she know what's best for dcg?
My question is should I approach her and ask why she thinks this dcg should be switched? What she's lacking here?
This is a home environment with different ages. I offer different-aged materials and share my attention with everyone when I can, at each child's level. Speech lady suggests more structure for this dcg.
I'm just kinda angry about it and I don't even know why, especially since dcm has already firmly stated she's not going anywhere for at least another year.
This 'specialist' has seen dcg 30 minutes a week since February. I've had dcg for 2 years. How can she know what's best for dcg?
Josiegirl 04:55 AM 05-09-2015
Truthfully, I'm not sure I am all that comfortable talking with her. I've always had this 'I'm not sure what' feeling about her. You know how some people just rub you the wrong way and you can't quite put your finger on why? Well, that's her. The other woman that comes is much more personable and I like her.
And if I do work up the courage to approach her, I'll pass it by dcm first, as I wouldn't want her to get into trouble.
I'll have to save what you wrote though; it sounds so professional and is of the 'high road'. I'm sure whatever I were to come up with it'd be out of resentment and that unknown feeling towards her.
And if I do work up the courage to approach her, I'll pass it by dcm first, as I wouldn't want her to get into trouble.
I'll have to save what you wrote though; it sounds so professional and is of the 'high road'. I'm sure whatever I were to come up with it'd be out of resentment and that unknown feeling towards her.
Leigh 08:18 AM 05-09-2015
Originally Posted by spedmommy4:
That SLP needs to stick to her profession. I just finished a graduate program in early childhood special education and current research shows two very important things:
1. Pushing academics during the preschool years is stressful to young children. Further, they actually benefit far more from learning social skills. (I imagine kids with good social skills make Kindergarten teachers happy too )
2. Children "learn" best through play!
http://educationnext.org/much-too-early/
That SLP needs to stick to her profession. I just finished a graduate program in early childhood special education and current research shows two very important things:
1. Pushing academics during the preschool years is stressful to young children. Further, they actually benefit far more from learning social skills. (I imagine kids with good social skills make Kindergarten teachers happy too
)2. Children "learn" best through play!
http://educationnext.org/much-too-early/
Starburst 10:41 AM 05-10-2015
Originally Posted by spedmommy4:
Are you comfortable approaching her? If so, I would. I would tell her that dcg has been with you for several years. And that while you appreciate her concern for dcg, dcg is supported and has relationships with peers, which are not cannot be replaced. In fact, childcare transitions in general are often incredibly stressful for young children. (She should know that) I would go on to say that formal academics at a young age are not considered best practice in early childhood. However, your child care uses a play based curriculum, which is best practice.
Are you comfortable approaching her? If so, I would. I would tell her that dcg has been with you for several years. And that while you appreciate her concern for dcg, dcg is supported and has relationships with peers, which are not cannot be replaced. In fact, childcare transitions in general are often incredibly stressful for young children. (She should know that) I would go on to say that formal academics at a young age are not considered best practice in early childhood. However, your child care uses a play based curriculum, which is best practice.
Does this woman work for an agency or independent/ her own practice? If she does work for an agency I would suggest maybe seeing about talking to her employer (especially if they have any employee evaluations) and saying that while you understand the woman's concern you feel some of her advice might be overstepping her boundaries and affecting your business or that you may no longer feel comfortable with her coming over to your house, if both women work for the same agency maybe request if there is a way that only the other woman comes to your daycare and maybe she can rearrange her schedule for when DCG is at home; which will actually be better if DCG has one person they can focus on and build a trusting relationship with. If you feel more comfortable with the other ST then maybe ask her if there is anything she thinks DCG may be lacking in your program.
All my child development teachers agreed that if parents/family members can't stay home to care for the child that it is best for a child to stay with a constant child care provider for at least the first 3 years (if not as long as possible); one thing family child care has over most daycare centers that put a child in a new room with a new teacher every couple of months. Even some school age children have difficulty at the end of the school year moving on to a new teacher.
Josiegirl 11:35 AM 05-10-2015
The women work through the local school system.
I'm going to talk with dcm about it. The parents obviously are on board with her being here and they're wonderful, caring parents. It just seems like everybody's pushing kids into a strict structure or institutionalized environments and we all know now every kid is going to do well with that. They need to build that secure stable beginning first, know they are loved and cared for, learn the basics. That all happens here. She does not need to be in a classroom with 18-20 other kids where she'll get lost in the shuffle. Or put into a strange daycare where she knows no one and has to get all adjusted again, plus leave her sister that comes here too.
Isn't 4 or 5 old enough for that? Let kids be kids.
Sorry. It is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine when people stick their nose where it doesn't belong.
I'm going to talk with dcm about it. The parents obviously are on board with her being here and they're wonderful, caring parents. It just seems like everybody's pushing kids into a strict structure or institutionalized environments and we all know now every kid is going to do well with that. They need to build that secure stable beginning first, know they are loved and cared for, learn the basics. That all happens here. She does not need to be in a classroom with 18-20 other kids where she'll get lost in the shuffle. Or put into a strange daycare where she knows no one and has to get all adjusted again, plus leave her sister that comes here too.
Isn't 4 or 5 old enough for that? Let kids be kids.
Sorry. It is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine when people stick their nose where it doesn't belong.