This week the topic of our studies was educational excellence and equity in early childhood education. I told my international contact (Ramon) about the early childhood educational system in America, and in turn he told me about some characteristics of early childhood education in France. He started the conversation by telling me that his mom said that education has changed a lot in France over the last 20 years.
All children in France are required to start school by the age of three and it is paid for by the government. Some parents do pay for their children to attend private schools, but Ramon says they all get the same education. From ages three-five, the focus of their education is on social skills, which is quite different from early childhood education in America. Children in France learn poems, eat hot meals, sleep in small beds, and learn how to be good citizens and students. They learn how to be a good friend. Most of their day consists of active play and the teachers are very involved with the children during this time. Additionally, they visit the museum often to learn about history. When children turn six they start to learn academics such as numbers and letters. Ramon said that young children in France learn social skills first then letters. He describes the days as fun, fun, fun! The children use their imagination, play fun games, and exercise.
He thinks that it is sad that all children do not receive the same care in America. He said that no matter what your socioeconomic status is in France, every child receives a quality education. He believes that American children would benefit from learning more social skills, so that they can learn how to be a friend. He thinks that American children can be mean and think only about themselves. I have to agree with Ramon. I think there would be a lot less bullying in America if children learn proper social skills early in life. In America we focus so much on academics that we forget about other areas of development. In France, they seem to focus on the development of the whole child, and we need to do the same in the U.S.
I enjoyed reading your post as always.I love the fact that the government is active in the education process and pays for all children to attend. The set up of France and the US is differnt, and interesting to read about.
ReplyDeleteKrista,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are able to get information from Ramon. I agree that we need to teach children more social skills, with the prevention of bullies to be only one. I recently went to a tball game with children ages 5-6. I was shocked to see the way parents talked to each other about the ballgame. The children were standing on the field watching and hearing their parents speak so rudely to each other. We need to all take a lesson in pro-social skills from time to time!
Rhonda
Hi Krista,
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky that your contact is a real person and not just a news letter.How interesting that other countries are so well educated on EC development and we are not there yet.Social skills are so important and it seems that we are loseing this with academics as the focus.Good information.
Wow, I love their educational system and I wish we would adopt it in America. I guess we do have it in a sense with Head Start but Head Start has a flaw in my opinion. That flaw is that children like and my children are last getting into school because of our birthdays. I also agree with my classmates it is good that you have a real person for a contact and not a newsletter. I really enjoy a;; of your blogs, keep up the excellent work.
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