ABC and other curriculum thoughts

By the age of five children are expected to know the ABC to recognize names of colors and to be able to write their name. My daughter is considered slow because she can not do any of these. The teacher was concerned about her English and now they are working hard to catch up with the others otherwise Michelle will be moved to another group (with 2-3 year old). Oh, did I tell you that this is going on in CAMP - summer Camp!!!

My anger and inability to understand this kind of knowing was definitely showing today when the "teacher" was telling me about the "problems".... What can I say???

I am certain that this information has almost no value - I mean, by the time we grow up we all know our colors and how to write them.... on the second thought I am so glad that we do NOT know the names of all the colors - isn't there an infinity of possibilities of shades and mixes??? About the alphabet - I believe that knowing your alphabet in order has no meaning in today's life - before internet it was important as one had to know how to find words in the dictionary, but today's dictionaries are on-line and you do not need to know the alphabet.... At least I can go around not knowing Hebrew alphabet and I'm fine (I do study in Hebrew).... writing, reading and being able to sing the alphabet song has nothing in common (at least for me!). As for the writing and reading part - I do believe that in our culture one needs to read (not at 5!!!) but I do think that this ability is so vital in our society (yes,yes, white, Western blah blah...etc) that my children will want to read (just not at 5!)... No rush - in the end you can not tell who started reading at four and who at ten.... by the way - those that start early often are pushed and lose the love of reading, the love of experiencing the world of the narration....

Oh, I could go on and on about this....

Why am I so angry?! I knew that I was sending my kids to a totally different environment...what's my problem? - I am tired!!! Tired of being so unsure of my thoughts and my beliefs and always wanting to try out the "regular", "normal" life... Well, Julie, you got it!