MANILA -- Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte has urged mothers to change their mindset and be more open to early childhood education, saying children aged five and below should be taught reading at least a few letters of the alphabet.
During the inauguration of the two Masaganang Bukas Learning Centers on Wednesday, Belmonte addressed the issue of some elementary graduates who still do not know how to read, which can be solved through teaching kids to read and write during their toddler years.
“Sa tingin ko, panahon na para baguhin natin ang pag-iisip natin dahil mayroong mga naniniwala na dapat naglalaro palang ang mga five years old pababa at dapat ang pagbabasa matutunan kapag six or seven years old na (In my view, it’s now time to change our mentality because there are those who believe that five years old should only play and the reading should be learned when they are six years old already),” Belmonte said.
“Sa akin naman, kahit tatlong taon palang ang bata pwede na natin silang turuan magbasa, magsulat, kahit paisa-isang titik lang. Kasi napapansin ko, maraming kabataang nasa elementary na, Grade 4, Grade 5 pero hindi pa rin marunong magbasa (For me, even if the child is only three years old, we can already teach them to read, write, even on a letter by letter. Because I’m noticing, many youth already in the elementary, Grade 4, Grade 5 but could not read),” she added.
Belmonte also called on the pre-school teachers to think out of the box and incorporate modern techniques in teaching to make the learning experience of the children more fun and effective.
“That's why at our day care [centers] let’s try the new way of teaching, maybe we can prepare the children the soonest possible time. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Let’s not remain in the box in trainings because our youth will also benefit from these),” Belmonte said.
The vice mayor also advised pre-school teachers to expand the minds of their students and bring them to their limits to help the children develop their talents.
She said she wanted to prioritize the founding of child-minding services, where single parents could entrust their child if they have any other things to do. (PNA)
