Learning and Education

I have done a lot of thinking about learning and education. So much thinking and research that it is mind boggling. There seems to be a desire to have concrete evidence that learning is taking place. As if a worksheet validates a person's learning.
I believe:

1. Reading is learning-even if there are no worksheets to prove it.

2. Listening to a child tell daddy what he/she read about that day proves they learned something. There is nothing better than hearing a child re-tell the story in their own words. Listening to them describe the charaters in their mind, is amazing.

3. Good grades doesn't mean the information is retained for long periods. It only proves the child retain the information long enough to take a test.

4. Having to do worksheets can stifle the enjoyment of learning with their hands. Where did we decided you have to have a pencil to learn??????

5. Book reports are a waste of time and best used in a classroom where the teacher doesn't know if a student has read a book.

6. There is nothing better than watching your child learn his/her numbers by playing board games.

7. Who thought a child could learn their A,B,C's by playing alphabet board games??? Never once did you pick up a flash card or make him/her write the letters on paper.

 Now, I am not saying that written work should all be thrown out, but I think it is way over-emphasized.  We need to remember that kids should be kids, even when they are learning.