A lot of research has been done on the use of worksheets in children’s learning and they would usually stand on either end of the spectrum. As preschool teachers who believe in learning through play, and use worksheets in our classrooms, we would like to share our perspective about this topic.
Worksheets are goal-oriented and always have a ‘right answer’. This clear segregation of being ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ may induce levels of stress in children as they fear giving the wrong answers and thus be deemed as 'incapable'. This may discourage children from taking risks, making mistakes, and having confidence to try again. It encourages children to use convergent thinking (where they seek for one final solution), rather than divergent thinking (where they seek for all possible solutions).
Learning through play is highly encouraged and play should always be the medium for learning as it encourages the children to acquire knowledge and skills independently at their own individual pace.
Yet, realistically, in the local context of Singapore, children are required to attain certain learning objectives by the time they enter primary school. As teachers and caregivers, we are responsible for preparing and supporting our children for their primary school education, which is very much worksheet-based. The last thing we want is to ban worksheets entirely from the children's early years education, only to see them struggling with their primary school homework.
Worksheets can also be a supplementary tool used for the assessment of children's understanding of concepts. It is straightforward in helping teachers and caregivers understand the children’s previous knowledge, outcome of learning, and the process of learning. It is convenient and easy to use. This is especially important when parents are busy (especially during this stay-home period) and want to encourage children to do some revision.
What can we do?
Hands-on and concrete learning experiences are incredibly important.
Authentic learning experiences that utilise concrete materials can effectively sustain the children’s interest and attention and encourage children to be intrinsically motivated to learn. Tapping on their natural sense of curiosity and five senses, children can master learning concepts more effectively through self-exploration and trial and error. In this process-oriented learning experience, the children find meaning in what they learn and can apply this knowledge in a variety of situations.
Worksheets can be designed to be fun and developmentally appropriate for children.
When a teacher designs worksheet for her children, she takes her children's interests into consideration too. Worksheet doesn't have to be boring. If the children love colouring, add in colouring components! If the children love rockets, put that in the question! Worksheets can also be designed in various levels of difficulties to cater to the diverse abilities and needs of the children. This is what personalised worksheets sound like. It's not a one-size-fits-all, it's designed to suit your children perfectly.
Don’t mark the children's worksheet.
Having a tick for correct answers and a cross for wrong answers, often in red ink, encourages the child to focus on the outcome of his/her performance. Instead, get the child to check through their work again and try to make it better. If the child is unable to self-correct, write the correct answer next to their incorrect answer. This shifts the focus away from "I am wrong" to "This is a better answer for this question".
Here, we are nurturing a child to ask him/herself "How can I make this better?" instead of "How can I get this right, and not wrong?" This mindset is essential as it influences child’s learning and problem-solving in the future. It also teaches children that they are valued for who they are, not for the tasks they can or cannot complete.
Worksheets are optional and not mandatory.
It is important to note that worksheets should only be introduced to the children once they are developmentally ready to write. Every child develops and learn at different pace. When children are not ready and confident in holding a pencil to write, working on worksheets will become an increasingly challenging task. Hands-on learning experiences and worksheets should come hand-in-hand to ensure that the children are intrinsically motivated to learn, while keeping track of their level of understanding.
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