In our perception, American schools seem to have a laissez-faire approach, not relentlessly pushing children to read and write. In reality, they also have rigorous curricula, but their implementation differs from Chinese schools.One day, my third-grade daughter told her mom, "The other day, the teacher had everyone plant a seed in the schoolyard. This week, the seeds started sprouting, and mine is the tallest and strongest of all!"When her mother asked why she had such luck, she insisted it wasn't luck at all: Before planting, she carefully studied the terrain, choosing a spot with the most sunlight—one completely free from shadows cast by trees or buildings all day long. She also made sure it was within the reach of the school garden's sprinkler system, ensuring it would be watered regularly.
So when the young sprout emerged, it proved everything she had planned.However, the school's purpose in having children plant seeds wasn't to encourage them to help their mothers with chores, but to learn several key terms related to plant growth—rather advanced vocabulary like fertilizer, soil, embryo, and cotyledon. Because her daughter had put so much effort into the planting process, these words naturally became deeply ingrained in her memory.
This exemplifies organic literacy—first providing hands-on experience, then helping children articulate those experiences through language and vocabulary. Throughout this process, children unleash their creativity, and in the exhilaration of creation, even the most challenging words become memorable. This embodies an Ivy League principle: even when absorbing "dry knowledge" like literacy, it should be achieved through active, creative engagement whenever possible.
I've also read reports about American schools where fourth graders make dough using flour, water, and salt. They document the entire process and explore optimal mixing techniques in a class called "Chemical Engineering." Through simple experiments and play, children learn fundamental scientific principles and problem-solving methods, while building literacy through experiment documentation.In fact, certain domestic games—like building with blocks—can also be made engaging, allowing children to learn arithmetic, mechanics, and language through play. Isn't that early education too? Learning this way sparks greater interest and fosters creativity.