The Great Disconnect in Early Childhood Education: What We Know vs. What We Do

by Michael Gramling, Elizabeth Jones (Foreword)

Early childhood educators need to be cognizant of the disconnect between public policy and classroom practice—the success of children they teach depends on it. This book analyzes how ineffective practices are driven by unexamined public policies and why educators need to challenge their thinking in order to make a difference in children's lives. A very complex story about public policy and the importance of teaching is told while entertaining and engaging the reader throughout. Michael Gramling is an expert in providing family literacy training and positive guidance training and has conducted experiential supervisor and mentor coach institutes for Head Start programs.

Genres: Education, Professional Development

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2015

Reviews

[Shari Hardinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very Disappointing

So disappointed after reading this book. I don’t know if I have ever given a 1-star rating. It begins hopefully enough, talking about how poor and at risk students are exposed to exponentially less language than their well-to-do counterparts and how we must find a way to close this gap through EC intervention. This is not new information. But then the author spends chapters 2-6 basically berating EC staff for carrying out instruction in a way that breaks standards down into objectives in order for them to best teach and measure student progress. The author uses sarcasm throughout and almost seems to have a personal vendetta against early childhood staff and EC programs. I kept reading in hopes that there would be ideas, strategies, or program changes recommended just to find that providing students more language was the fix as well as assessing the student environment. When I reached the very end and the author recommended a specific assessment, I felt I had just finished a giant infomercial. My experience with early childhood staff is that they are some of the most talented, experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated people I know. They provide students with the highest quality learning experiences based on student interest and need. The learning environment is always rich in language and presented in the most natural ways possible. Does the educational system require us to be creative in how we must provide instruction because of the expectation of standards and how they must be measured for accountability? Yes, but EC staff are incredibly creative and always have student success at the center of everything they do. If the author truly wants to see change in the system, then address the system. Don’t beat down the very staff who work hard to help children every day.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely a great read for a preschool teacher like me. Cuz all of his examples was me -the calendar, title, author, illustrator, lesson plans (I honestly think doing the objectives of the lessons are also a waste of time tbh), etc. It explained really well about the root problem of our educational system today. And that's what I've felt with my previous school too. It had too much documentation and assessments that's required, which was pointless (nobody reads them). I tried to put up my concern about child-directed play, and our adviser (which hadn't majored in EC) even said "We can't just let them learn by chance?! What if the other teachers won't teach volcano when they get to grade school???"............. If I were to go back in time, I would facepalmed myself.

Ah-hem anyways, back at the book, it's true that our society is soooo focused on "goals and objectives" that it really does isolates those skills into "lessons". And it's true that relaxed children learns best and fast. As in my work right now in a nature based preschool, I haven't really taught the ABCs explicitly, but by showing kids how our words are represented by letters and how those letters makes sounds, most of my kids can remember the sounds (and they're more willing to ask how to spell/read things too)!

My fav part of the book was the 2nd to the last chapter. It felt so warm and inspiring. Even though it's just a short scene, but you can sense how homey and safe it was to be in that situation. I just love it!

Definitely will recommend to teachers who wants to know more about what it means to see the child, how to treat kids like human beings (human education), and why we keep forgetting the wise words of our boyfriends (Piaget, Vygotsky, etc) when we teach in front of kids. [It's because of capitalism... shhhh]

[skye · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I completely agree with the author’s belief that play-based learning is vital in early childhood, I could not tolerate his condescending bitterness towards early childhood educators. All of the hypothetical conversations between the wise, sagely, all-knowing administrator and the bumbling teacher really had me rolling my eyes. I am going to assume this author has never met high school students who never learned how to properly hold a pencil and can’t spell their own last names. Otherwise, he would probably be a little more sympathetic to the people scrambling and stressing over children not meeting certain standards. Because that is precisely what happens when children do not meet certain standards, and that proceeds to go unnoticed for the next 13 years of their lives.

[Elizabeth Merce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading the description of this book I thought it would show the gap between theory and practice that all who work in ECE knows exists and HOW to push back effectively. Most of the book belittled educators instead of showing educators how to keep their jobs while doing what's best for kids. The "solution" offered was having a supervisor recommend just not doing what was expected. While some of us may have supervisors that are willing to protect teachers from bad reviews or firing many are not. There are systemic issues that need to be addressed with legislatures, communities, etc and this book did NOT touch on how to address any of those issues at all. Highly disappointed.

[Mary Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most important book about early childhood education that I have read in years. It depicts how misguided public policy has set the field on the wrong course. The book details positive remedies. Currently rereading for inspiration.

[Dévonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read and enjoyed this book!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only have an indirect connection to early childhood education. For a while I worked for a mentoring nonprofit that linked 3rd graders to college student mentors. Nevertheless, this book was quite meaningful to me based on what I do know about the education system. (Disclosure: Michael is a college friend of mine). "Teaching to the test" has been the norm for so long, but what progress have we seen? Two teachers in my family (one of whom is an art teacher) had to tailor their lessons to ensure high test scores. Seriously? The solution is succinctly stated here: "...innovative educators are creating human classrooms that are tailored to meet the individual needs of children, providing maximum autonomy with a minimum of hoop jumping. In these classrooms, children participate voluntarily in groups and regulate their own ability and comfort level to participate in social interaction. Teachers do not view individual differences as deficits that need fixing, but value children for who they are. In short, all children find themselves in an environment in which they are able to be themselves. (page 147)." Isn't this what we want? If those involved in early education could absorb and establish these common sense practices recommended in "The Great Disconnect," our children and our society would benefit substantially. Another benefit: I understand now that after around 5 years teachers give up and seek other kinds of work. I believe these innovative practices would also encourage teachers to stay in their profession.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent dissection of early childhood education and how to fix it

The best part of this book is the latter half where the author describes a classroom wherein the faults of our current ECE system are fixed. I've read a lot of books on this subject but few of them offer up so complete a solution. There is a lot to unpack in the description of the more ideal pre-k setting, and a lot of it can even be used by parents at home. This is a book that should be read by educators, caregivers and parents.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the information regarding the background of Head Start, Pre-K, Preschool and Kindergarden interesting. I wish I had attended a "children's garden" before starting elementary school. The chapter that made the biggest impact for me was chapter 6: "Envisioning a Preschool Classroom that Works for All Children". I was able to take away many things that would make a huge difference in our homeschool. Definitely recommend for all families with young children.

[Amber Goebel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a great explanation of what is wrong with early childhood ed in America and how it got that way. It also gives a picture of how things could be if changes were made and the general public and legislators had a real understanding of the research surrounding child development. A good read for parents, educators, and especially politicians.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This truly changed my thinking and my practice!!

[Katy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering and articulate. I needed some encouragement to continue to challenge our current climate of data mining in early childhood. I found it here. A must read for early childhood professionals.

[Meghan Lasseter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read which provided some insight on the warring forces in ECE right now, and an argument for how research says we should move forward.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great easy quick read. I downloaded a sample & couldn’t wait to buy the kindle version & read it in its entirety. A definite must read for parents, teachers & early childhood educators.