A very odd visit to a Shanghai preschool
Would you believe…
A class of twenty or so 2-year olds in Shanghai who are bilingual, AND reading, BOTH in Mandarin Chinese AND in English?
Who, at circle time, understand and read the days of the week and of the month?
Yes, two year olds.
Is this for real?
My wife taught pre-school for about four decades. She tells me she has had some two-year olds who could read and do worksheets, but they generally could not transfer that apparent knowledge to other situations. Paraphrasing her words: at that age, we teachers are mostly trying to make sure these toddlers poop and pee appropriately, and avoiding biting or accidentally bumping into each other. Playing nicely, talking clearly, listening and sharing are also top goals. Some really want to learn how to write or read, some don’t really care. Yet; they will later.
The writer is an American pediatrician and author whose own CONTINUE READING: A very odd visit to a Shanghai preschool | GFBrandenburg's Blog