Coming from an Early Years background and having the privilege of working with small groups of children along with good staffing levels (largely with two year olds and having 1 staff to every 4 children plus regular volunteers and students) I have previously wondered about why children would need to be 'grouped' according to age or ability levels. Obviously that view is clearly linked to my previous experience and on coming onto the PGCE course I have now realised the challenges that teachers face working with children at much lower staffing levels. It is clear that higher staffing levels, especially working with children at a young age is extremely beneficial as you are then able to have the time to work at every child's pace as an individual. Wouldn't that be great? This also clearly links to children's early experiences and being able to progress through their early years at their own pace, therefore extending children's entitlement to this, as with many well known countries where this works well for children up to 7 years old is the answer. Problem solved...or it would be if our children's lives weren't in the hands of the political government who keep adding pressures of testing young children based on their views with poor research evidence (or the lack of any!). The government clearly know of the campaigns from very experienced, qualified professionals who know best, such as the #Toomuchtoosoon campaign.
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AuthorPamela Clough. Archives
August 2016
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