Names or no?

[paul handford]

At 15:31 1996/07/19 -0500, Thomas G. Lammers wrote:
snip
>
>So my response is a resounding YES.  Children at all ages must be taught
>the names of things.  Names that are appropriate to there level of
>comprehension, and that, as Donna Ford and others emphasized, will mean
>something because of the association of other interesting and useful facts.
>
snip
>
>Though its beyond the scope of this group, perhaps the REAL issue here is
>the preponderance of ridiculous educational fads, fancies, and bandwagons,
>and the crippling effect they can have on the education of youth.
>


Amen, Amen.

But really, you barely NEED to TEACH them names when they are in the 3
years to teens years.  As Maria Montessori observed long ago, and many have
seen beforte and since, kids of that age are simply super-absorbent sponges
for STUFF.  Any stuff.  But terminology seems to be especially attractive.
My 6 year-old will happily discuss whether this leaf should be called
obovate or simply ovate, whether that bug is an insect, arachnid or
crustacean..............  young kids just LOVE names.

paul handford
ecology & evolution group
zoology department
university of western ontario
LONDON, ON, N6A  5B7   CANADA
519-661-3149   FAX  519-661-2014
http://www.uwo.ca/zoo/handford.html
http://www.uwo.ca/zoo/tvi.html

Every man will dispute with great good humour upon a subject in which he is
not interested.
Samuel Johnson.