Pre School also called as Playschool a time of Joy, excitement and a new horizon for your little ones is a place where your children learn through play and excitement. This is the most important phase in the life of your child and is critical to his lifelong development influencing the brain development and enhancing neural connections.
Every parent wants the best of the Play school education for the little ones that makes them seek a preschool that should be able to provide them with the perfect curriculum. If you are a parent, making a decision to choose a Play School for your child it is indispensable to have an understanding and an overview of the various curriculum’s preached currently at preschool level to make a correct and an informed choice. Apart from that, it is also necessary to have an in-depth about what as a parent we need to check for choosing the right curriculum.
Well to begin with it is necessary to know what does the term curriculum means. Any curriculum is defined as the content and the organization of any school program including daily activities and routines which impacts a child’s intellectual, physical, social, linguistic and spiritual wellbeing.
A curriculum has to meet the need of the children which focuses on the above said intellectual, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual well being. This is based on three important factors;
- Level of interest
- Adaptability
- Capturing child attention.
As per the guidelines by the National Centre on Quality Teaching and Learning, the pre school curriculum should be based on the child’s sound development that should include overall child’s skills and cognitive development, reading and mathematical skills, physical skills and socio economics development.
For teachers, the most effective programs should have a clear understanding of what they want to teach. A curriculum should also be able to provide the guidelines to the teachers in creating a classroom environment that aims to upgrade the cultural and linguistic background of the children as well.
A number of curriculums are used around the World in the Preschool classrooms depending upon an individual’s specific needs.
Montessori
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori , is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori’s Method has been used for over 100 years in many parts of the world.
Montessorie is based on the fact that children seem to understand complex statements better when they engage all their senses. Activities in this type of curriculum include personal care (such as dressing and undressing), care of the environment like sweeping, dusting and gardening. Given free choice kids shows more interest in practical activities.
Montessori education system has given the World some very famous and renowned personalities like Prince Williams and Prince Harry, founder of Google- Larry Page and Sergey Brin, founder of Amazon – Jeff Bezos and many more.
Reggio Emilia
It operates on the premise that early childhood education is the combined job of the parents, teachers, and community.
Schools are run by a council with representation from all of these groups. The staff is made up of two teachers for each classroom, an artelierista (an art teacher) for the entire school, a nutritionist, a cook, and an administrator.
The environment is often called, “The Third Teacher” because it is so important to the proper development of the children. Reggio Emilia classrooms have their own kitchens with cooks and dining areas created especially for the youngest children who might eat there. The nutritionist on staff provides training to parents as well as planning nutritious meals for the children.
One of the most important aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach is the aesthetic value. There are plants, lots of light and doors from each classroom into the outdoors space. The hallways in most Reggio programs are called ateliers.
Multiple Intelligence:
Multiple intelligence curriculum was founded by Dr. Howard Gardner. This curriculum is aimed at focusing on the various types of intelligence which a child is gifted with. These types of intelligence are as follows:
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- Verbal/Linguistic –These people are good by expressing themselves through words.
- Logical/Mathematical – These people think scientifically and spontaneously process data.
- Musical – These individuals are good in songs, rhythms, tunes
- Visual/Spatial – Good at visual cue.
- Body/Kinaesthetic – Good at controlling their physical movements like athletes.
- Interpersonal – These people work well in groups and are empathetic.
- Intrapersonal – They use the information people take of themselves.
- Naturalistic – These people love nature and recognize the elements of the natural World.
According to Gardner’s theory, one form of intelligence is not better than another; they are equally valuable and viable. Yet, different cultures are biased towards and against certain types of intelligence. The different types of intelligence affect the understanding and the instructions you give to students in the classroom. The role of a teacher is to promote that particular acumen a child has in order to develop a better society.
Waldorf
Waldorf education, also known as Steiner education, is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. Its pedagogy emphasizes the role of imagination in learning, striving to integrate holistically the intellectual, practical, and artistic development of pupils.
The Play-way method:
This method is based upon a child core interests and intellect. It is unplanned and thus encourages complete freedom of expression. Grading or rating students of any kind is not customary in this kind of curriculum; rather the teachers assess the skills and aptitude of the child, and communicate their assessments to the parents from time to time to discover the original talents of children.
Play-way method of teaching has been introduced in preschools across India.
Creative curriculum:
This is based on the well known theories of child development. This curriculum is based on the premise that the best way to teach young children is by using an appropriate environment as well as a planned appropriate schedule and good teacher/child interactions.
Once you have understood the different types of philosophies on educating toddlers the time is to shortlist the various Preschools with the chosen curriculum.
edustoke.com can help you make an appropriate choice to search explore and select schools with an option of short listing the schools with parameters such as the distance of the school from your home, day care and day boarding facilities, age criterion, school fee structure as per your affordability, availability of nutritious meals and various other features so thereby underscoring the point that you have to search for schools and edustoke gets you all that information.
You can then take your child to a visit and watch them how they respond to the environment of the school and the Teachers, and observing their reaction you can get an idea if the school is a good fit for your child.
Also it is important to trust your instincts. Check the behaviour of the school owners, Principals, Director, Teacher and the other Staff as well to make sure your child is in safe hands and right place. Also make sure the school premise and infrastructure is as per your choices and standards.
Remember a preschool lays the ultimate foundation for your child.
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