“S” is for Summer, Swimming and Safety! What’s this? Could Teacher Karen have had a change in philosophy? NO! I’m still not fond of ‘letter of the day’ style of teaching for young children. I think it buys into the whole push-down academics model that is so prevalent right now. Kindergarteners and preschoolers should not be expected to master topics or skills that traditionally were reserved for later grades and older children.
There are important, foundational steps and accomplishments young children need to be allowed to progress through—at their own pace—during the early childhood years. Layers or levels of experication (hands-on, education gained via experience) that they can then build on and up from. The article Setting Up Children to Hate Reading explains the situation perfectly.
Believe me, I’m as competitive a person as you can get, but pushing for your kiddos to ‘do’ things that are outside the scope of their age/stage of development is counterproductive.
I’m using “S” for Summer, Swimming and Safety as a reminder—an important reminder! The sunny, summer weather is finally on the way. And that means kids cooling off in pools, floating along a river in an inner tube, jumping waves at the beach or bouncing along in boats. In other words: In, near or on the water!
As parents you need to teach your child many safety-related things like:
“Don’t touch! That’s HOT”
whenever they might be near a stove OR
“STOP! Look both ways before crossing a street”
to make sure there are no cars coming. And thanks again to Jill Goetz for giving great suggestions for body safety. Water safety needs to be right at the top too. Not only because of fun times in the sun, but because children tragically die from drowning accidents in bathtubs and even toilets (ALWAYS keep the toilet seat DOWN).
WHY should water safety be a top priority? Because:
Boating accidents include electric shock drowning. Even once your kidlet is out of the water, dried off and on land there’s a chance for ‘drowning’—read the about signs of dry and secondary drowning and what to do.
Need more convincing? Here are more DROWNING FACTS—so BE vigilant and prepared! And when your kiddo is old enough, sign them up for swim lessons.
Now bring on the “S” words!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen
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