There are essentially four models of education that the use of pre-schools, but keep in mind that different schools sometimes incorporated some unique elements in the design of its curriculum. Because of this, it is essential that you take the time to investigate thoroughly each preschool you are considering sending your child so you have a clear understanding of the philosophy and style of the school of education.
Finding the right preschool for your child can be a challenge. With a variety of different options to choose from, parents can easily become overwhelmed when trying to decide what type of program would be the best for your child.
Models of early childhood education
"Developmental apropos" of the model focuses on the individual needs of each child. It is based on age, socio-economic situations, skills and skill levels of children. The total experience that every child has a preschool that you follow this philosophy is a culmination of their interactions with other children who may have different or special needs. Teachers in these schools should ensure that each child receives the attention he or she needs, while also maintaining a sense of unity in the classroom.
The high-range model places an emphasis on the classification and grading, and appropriate use of space and time. A major teaching emphasis is on building individual skills and activities that generally focus on encouraging children to play games that will help them learn colors, sizes, or shapes. The social and emotional development is not accentuated in this type of learning environment, so if this is important to you, any other type of preschool might be a better option.
Montessori schools can be found that are built around a variety of different concepts. When looking at these types of schools, you should hire the school principal to talk face to face so that you can ask questions about teaching philosophy of the school smock. This will also allow you to get a feel for the school environment. In these schools, the children think of as being independent beginners, so of course, individual independence is stressed highly in these preschools.
Reggio Emilia model stresses the interaction between teachers and children. Teachers in these schools take an active interest in listening and talking with the children they teach, and emphasize student exploration when it comes to learning. The artistic development is considered to be very important in these schools and encouraging children to engage in projects that are sparked by an interest they have.
Things to look for
Apart from trying to find a preschool that provides your child the kind of learning environment and teaching philosophy that you are comfortable with, you also need to review carefully the school principal, teachers, and classrooms for able to take the best decision.
When children are preschoolers, the most important thing to look for is the amount of direct interaction that your child will have with your teacher. This type of communication is far more important for children of this age that making access to the computer or spend too much time alone.