Comments for Preschool learning: What should a 4 year old know? at http://www.parentwonder.com , comment 0 to 20 out of 21 comments http://www.parentwonder.com Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:51:42 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_518 My son will be four in July and can not reconise any letters or numbers yet. Our pre school said he is very behind ,that all the kids already know this and that they are writting there names already. This artical was great but I am still concerned that he is very behind. We live in San Francisco and it seems that the schools here expect so much. Is my four year old the only one that can reconise letters and numbers? Any feed back is appreciated. You can also email me personally. Thanks amazingnanny@hotmail.com - Sandee Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:41:39 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_250 I read somewhere that Einstein only started talking at age 5... there is hope yet! What kids hear is very important (referring to being read to). Here in Malaysia, (at least in my household) kids are exposed to hearing many languages & dialects. My little girl constantly surprises us with the occasional utterance, in proper context too mind you, in another language! My daughter is only going to be 3 in Nov, so this article is good stuff! - JLow Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:58:23 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_236 Your list was beautifully written and a great reminder about what's really important. Thanks! - Sunny Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:59:12 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_228 Jenny: You may need to consult a doctor (speech therapist) to pinpoint if there's a problem. - Abel Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:27:59 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_227 My son is going to be 3 and doesn't even speak yet, so that worries me when it's time for him to go to school. - Jenny Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:05:14 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_211 I am an Early Childhood Education major...and i 100% agree with you!!! - Kristen Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:58:56 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_198 Thank you for this and the links. I have been receiving pressure from some of my mom friends to start my son in pre school. I have been hesitant for so many reasons and this just helps me feel better about following my own instincts. - Awesome Mom Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:07:33 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_194 Wonderful reminder of remembering "wonder" is the greatest gift of childhood. There is so much to be learned by a child's natural curiosities, that are gathered and stored in the subconscious as they develop their talents and strengths, and become the people they will be. Learning "how to think" is the most wonderful gift and strength factor in life, not "what to think". Love your kids, see from, and get down on their level, it is often a higher level than an adults. Truth is we can learn so much from them, yet help them to learn at the same time. Each day can hold hidden learning. It makes me think of what we may have learned today- I, my 6 year daughter and 2 year old son.Today, I think the hidden lesson was that one can turn even the most mundane task into an adventure by being observant, resourceful and persistant. And a plain old doctors appointment today in the Valley, turned into a day of wonder after taking advantage of a nearby swimming pool, lush gardens and lakes including swans...simply by going up the street to a discount store and purchasing some inexpensive swimwear for us (under $20) and a couple sandwiches for a picnic. My kids not only learned by being around the garden, swans and by trying to swim and what we talked about while we were doing these things, but also about being resourseful, creative, and observant and how to turn even the most mundane task into something very enjoyable and memorable. - I love being a mom Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:25:42 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_193 thanks for the info.. it helps me to know how important being a father. - buragas Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:06:28 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_191 I encourage my 4.5-year son, Christopher, to excel well academically. I can now push him to read books meant for 5-7 year-old-children but not at this minute until a few months later. It is to give him some breathing space and less pressure. The reason why academics is important is that children abroad are willing to learn and are not "cry babies"--one has to work hard for it!! - Lilian Cheong Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:37:09 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_190 I felt that your article was great! As a 22yr old single mother it can be very stressful trying to figure out if your doing everything right. Alot of parents out there may have things better than others and may not realize the stresses of those less fortunate than there self. Or what than could do to ease the load on those such as myself. You seemed to have made me more at ease a confident about what my daughter and I have accomplished thus far and for that I Thankyou. - Kandice Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:21:33 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_186 Awesome reminders! Great Article!!! - Dazy Nay Thu, 23 Aug 2007 05:34:37 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_185 I think 'Chief Family officer' and 'A Parent' need new lives. CFO missed the point of the article I think, and A-P must not peruse the web much because there are so many paretns out there that want their children to OVER-achieve. The article is wonderful and reminds us to let our children live free and have fun learning in a loving environment. - Apes Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:57:46 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_184 Great article! I think it's so important to be reminded of what's really important to our chidlren because so often it gets swept by the wayside in the competition to be smartest or whatever!! - Melissa Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:49:00 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_183 Thanks, Alicia, for reminding us where our focus should be. I think that "A Parent" should chill out a little and maybe apply that checklist to his or her own life. - Claire Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:01:35 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_179 Awesome!! I'm forwarding this to everyone I know!! - Julia Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:35:51 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_177 I think the parent that asked what a four year old show know was asking for a skills list and though you provided one in your article you made fun of skills lists first by creating your own list of skills, reminding us that what is important isn't skills lists. I think you used the original parent question to get on a soap box and preach about a topic you are passionate about, children. I don't though think most parents pressure their children into learning and I don't think they need reminding what is important. I think the parent asking the original question was just wondering what most children of four should know. I think your answer makes fun of the parent and the question and I don't think that is very nice. - A Parent Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:47:37 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_175 @Tanyetta, MommyZing: Glad you liked it. @CFO: I agree with you on milestones. What I agree more is "I don't pressure my kids to do more than they are capable of doing, and I do my very best not to compare them to their peers." - Abel Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:42:37 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_174 One of my favorite writers, Madeleine L'Engle, introduced me to a great quote: "Comparisons are odious." (Unfortunately, I can't remember the original source.) You make a wonderful point about the individual development of every child. I would, however, point out that the developmental checklists are valuable in determining whether there is a true problem. As the parent of very young children, autism is a great concern and I have found myself noting each milestone with relief (eye contact, responding to name, pointing, etc.). I was also happy to see that our pediatrician thoroughly covered the bases for autism at each well-baby checkup. I would obviously prefer to be vigilant and catch a potential problem as early as possible because so often early intervention makes a huge difference. But I don't pressure my kids to do more than they are capable of doing, and I do my very best not to compare them to their peers. - Chief Family Officer Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:33:49 +0100 http://www.parentwonder.com/content/view/338/26/#pc_172 Great article....I agree that this could be applied to chilren of all ages. Every child learns at their own pace. - mommyzing Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:37:59 +0100