So M's teacher wanted to talk to me this morning. M's class has been starting to learn to write their names. I have seen M's papers that she brings home and they don't look too bad to me everthough she needs some help with the letters. Her teacher asked if we could start helping her at home with her letters and her birthday. She told me that all of the other kids in the class know M's birthday, but her. I will admit that really made me feel bad. She also said starting in December that they will start doing report cards. Which seems a little silly to me since it's a preschool class and she's only 3 1/2.
Am I over reacting about this? I do work with M at home (not as much as I should) with writing her name. Does your 3+ year old know how to write their name?
Re: Question for moms with kids 3+ year olds
I have heard her say when her birthday is before. And she can pick out indivdual letters and colors. I know she isn't behind and I do think her school is pushing the kids a little too hard. From what I see from other kids her age she is right on track. She is one of the youngest in her class. Some of the kids in her class are already 4. I just don't want her to feel like she is already behind compared to the other kids.
I had one little girl in her class ask me why Maddi doesn't know how to spell her name? I told her that some kids learn at a different speed.
It really bothers me that she said this---totally inappropriate, IMO. In no classroom situation should a teacher compare students in this manner. I'm sorry she said that to you and I'm sorry she made you feel bad.
If I were you I would work with M more at home but I don't think you're overreacting. I think her teacher is asking a lot from 3 year olds. My good friend teaches pre-k and I know that birthdays, addresses, and writing their names are all things they work on in her class, so I don't think M is behind in that respect at all. I wonder what the motivation is behind starting report cards so soon?
What do you mean that's the wrong side? Tastes great to me!
M just turned 3 and she can recognize her name, but can't write it at all. The only letter she knows I think is m, which she can write. I think v was pretty close to 4 when he started writing his name and at his parent teacher conference yesterday, his teacher said he is right on track (and a little advanced on some stuff) for kindergarten. V also started working on learning his birthday in pre-k.
I also think its way too early to be doing things like report cards and teachers shouldn't be comparing kids like that