Say no to worksheets

I'm taking Kindergarten AQ course and I've learned a lot from the resources and discussions that we are engaged in. One of our topics was "The worksheets dilemma". Here is what I learned and think...

- Worksheets are teacher centered not child centered – The kindergarten classrooms should be child centered and not teacher centered. Worksheets only satisfy the urge that teachers have to have a tangible assessment so he/she can share with the parents.

- Worksheets always have one right answer – In the play-based and inquiry-based classrooms there are many ways to get to an answer. Each child thinks differently and will come up with different solution. Therefore, giving them a worksheet does not fulfill this kind of program.

- Worksheets are not differentiated – In order to reach every child in our classrooms; we thrive for differentiating for our students and provide scaffolding to help them move forward. Whereas, worksheets have the same content for each and every student and does not help to meet the needs of ALL the students.

- Products vs. Process – Play-based and Inquiry-based programs are geared towards process of learning and worksheets are all about the final product. In the play/inquiry-based program process is important and it helps enter these plays and inquiries at students readiness and interest levels.

- Worksheets are not developmentally appropriate – Worksheets tells us what a child knows at the given point it does not gives us a whole picture. In doing so it takes away opportunities for oral communication, their imagination and creativity, problem-solving skills, collaboration, and the use of their senses.