Curriculum 'threatens toddlers'
Friday, 30 Nov 2007 11:23
The government argues the new curriculum is "play-based".
Plans for a new national curriculum for all under-fives are severely misguided, according to a group of influential academics.
The new early-years foundation stage framework (EYFS) will become law next autumn, but has been introduced by stealth, the lobbyists say, and will hamper children's enthusiasm for learning.
The Times reports a letter signed by the group - which includes leading child psychologists Richard House, Dorothy Rowe and Penelope Leach - is critical of government plans to implement the compulsory measure to an estimated 25,000 nurseries across the country.
The group have launched the Open Eye campaign, promoting free play, movement and imitation as educating tools for babies and young children, as opposed to formal teaching.
But the EYFS protocol requires children to be assessed according to 13 learning scales and could encourage children aged just three and four to interpret phonic methods for complex pronunciations and use mathematical approaches for problem-solving.
"An overly formal, academic and/or cognitively biased 'curriculum', however carefully camouflaged, distorts this learning experience,"
the group argues in its letter.
"An early 'head start' in literacy is now known to precipitate unforeseen difficulties later on - sometimes including unpredictable emotional and behavioural problems."
In response, a Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesperson said: "The early-years foundation stage is not a stealth curriculum.
"This is a play-based approach to learning, development and care for young children which has been developed with thought, consultation and wholehearted backing of early-years specialists.
"To suggest otherwise is scaremongering."