Types of Preschool Programs
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Each child learns in a way particular to them. Their learning may be developed more effectively by: doing themselves, with others or just watching others do; reading on their own, being read to or telling imaginative stories; talking to themselves, others or imaginary friends; drawing, scribbling or cutting and pasting. Children have many ways in which they learn. Some children love to be in groups and find it stimulating, while other children need to be on their own to experiment and come out with answers we would never have thought of. No matter what their learning style, it is good to understand the individual needs of each child and find a preschool program that is right for your child. Each preschool program has a different philosophy that supports their programming. Whether the program style is deeply rooted in the fundamental curriculum design of Piaget, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, or incorporates many different philosophies available today, each preschool program must have a philosophy that drives their program. It is important to understand these philosophies to choose the preschool program that best suits your child’s learning style. Here are a few to assist parents in understanding what kind of preschool philosophies are available, there are many more: Montessori Program: Montessori programs emphasize the importance and connections of all living things. The program supports the need for each person to find meaningful work and their place in the world. Children learn about other cultures, animals and plants in addition to the 3 R’s by interacting with a well developed environment supporting these outcomes. Teachers are guides, as are older children interacting with children to learn new skills. Guides will work with a group of children or on a one to one basis with children. Children will learn at their own pace encouraging a sense of independence. Children are asked if they want to try a task, if they need help to complete it or if they feel they are ready for it. Parents work closely with guides and children developing a close bond in a child’s education. Children who need hands on learning, working at their own pace are best suited to this program because of the individualized attention teacher or ‘guides’ pay to each child. Children with special needs also do well in Montessori programs. Waldorf: The founder of this program, Rudolf Steiner believed that individuals are made up of three components: spirit, soul and body. Waldorf programs today strive to meet these three elements in their preschool programs by immersing children in a nurturing environment. Children are encouraged to learn through creative free play. In Waldorf preschool programs teachers create comfortable home like environments that offer children the opportunity to see creative activity and indulge in creative play. Waldorf programs are intended for group oriented activity. Aboriginal Head Start Programs: Aboriginal Head Start preschool programs are developed and funded by Health Canada . They are offered free of charge to participants, in local communities to provide a comprehensive experience to First Nations people, Metis and Inuit recognizing children as their nations’ most valuable resource. The program is an experience based program supporting the development of children based on a caring, creativity and pride flowing from knowledge of traditions, beliefs and practices of their traditional community. The program involves parents, children, elders and teachers to guide children in developing their skills through traditional aboriginal teachings and support parents and families as children’s primary teachers. Other preschool programs in your community: There are hundreds of preschool programs in our communities. Many will follow a prescribed philosophy supporting their curriculum such as those mentioned or they may mix or match many elements to develop their own programs. If you are considering a preschool program, it is of the utmost importance to follow through with the steps to find a preschool program that is just right for your child with an emphasis on the interview. During the interview ask specific questions about the preschool’s philosophy and whether the program that is derived from this, will suit your child’s learning style most effectively. Many preschool programs operate through an affiliation with a church organization. Their philosophy and resulting programming may be deeply invested in teachings of the church, or they may not. In either case, it is important to interview the director about the program to determine if this will meet your goals as a parent and meet the learning styles of your child. There are community ran programs, or parent cooperative programs as well. Again, no matter where the program originates it is important to determine if the preschool program you are considering offers what you want for your child and supports their learning style. In the end, parents want what is best for their child, this includes a preschool program. To find the ‘right’ preschool program for your child will take some time, research, and interviewing to determine if this is what is in the best interest of your child. So start your search by knowing what you want for an outcome, know the child’s individual learning style and find a preschool program with a philosophy and program that supports all these things. Most importantly, will your child be happy and develop a curiosity and love of learning? If the answer is yes, then you know this is the right preschool program. Home | About Us | Find Care | Caregivers | Membership | Your Store Site designed, maintained and hosted by Sunergon Information Services
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