Friday, March 23, 2012

Pre-School Methodology



Teaching methods come in three main varieties, with lots of variation along the continuum:

  • teacher-directed (or "teacher-lead"): telling children what they need to know through lectures, readings, chalkboard displays or other methods;
  • student-discovery (or "choice," "free play" or "play based"): providing appropriate materials, perhaps with guiding questions or built-in goals, that allow children to figure out new knowledge for themselves, often in activities of their own choosing; and
  • a mixed approach.

The teacher-directed method is that of "expert": let me teach you what I know. The student discovery method is one more akin to "coach": let me use what I know - by providing the right materials and coaching you when you get stuck - to stimulate and motivate you to learn for yourself. Both styles can be effective when used well with older children. Research indicates that both work well for short term cognitive learning in preschool-age children. However, research also indicates that having some student-discovery in the preschool years greatly improves long-term social outcomes for children as adults. A mixed approach is superior to the extremes for combined cognitive and social outcomes with a broad range of children of differing capabilities. If you value an extreme approach, consider whether or not it is in conflict with your child's individual learning needs.

Teaching Methods and The Preschool Search
Priority for Choosing?
High Priority: You have a strong opinion about how preschool age children should learn and be taught
Low Priority: You have no strong opinion about how preschool age children should learn and be taught, or you have an opinion but are more concerned with child fit and quality
What To Seek in a Preschool
Preschool clearly states its school-wide teaching method
The method is consistent with your values
Universal indicators of preschool quality are present regardless of method used (Chapter 4), and method does not directly conflict with your child's top needs
Example Questions to Ask
How much teacher-directed versus child-lead learning is there in your preschool? Is this true across the whole preschool?
Are other methods used as well? When or by whom?
What would happen if my child had a strong need for a different approach - would we need to switch preschools (ask only if this is a concern)?

On The First Day of Preschool, Don't Forget To...

Eliza Clark
March 8, 2009

Can it be? Is my child really about to begin preschool? How did our babbling babies get to be kids who can tote backpacks across school doorsteps?
If the idea of your darling starting school today has left you feeling disoriented, like you're in a crazy time warp where infants morph into schoolchildren before your very eyes, we are right there with you. We get it. That's why we put this list together. So that in the midst of your disbelief and nostalgia and (let's not forget) glee at the prospect of at least three hours sans offspring, you wouldn't forget to...

1.
Act as calm and cheerful and confident as you want your child to feel.

2. Use a sharpie to write your child's name on the label of her jacket or sweater.

3. Get some lovely personalized labels at
Mabel's Labels for all of the other things your child is liable to misplace at school during the year.

4. Steel yourself for a tearful goodbye or no goodbye at all (some children don't even give their parents a backward glance!).

5. Meet some of the other parents -- soon enough you'll be calling them for
playdates and planning class parties together.

6. Look the teachers in the eye and thank them in advance for all they'll be doing for your little one this year.

7. Listen to the teachers and respect their ground rules: if they say not to bring toys from home, don't; if they indicate that it's time for the parents to go, go! And so on. This helps your child learn that, in the classroom, the teachers are in charge.

8. Get there on the early side so that you have plenty of time to take in the scene and say goodbye.

9. Pack some "comfort food" (your child's
favorite lunch) today.

10. Resist the impulse to bring your camera into the classroom -- neither the teachers nor the children need the distraction on their first day together. Instead, take a picture outside the school before you go in, or save the photo shoot for another day (there are plenty ahead!).

11. Be right on time for pick-up today. Don't give your child even a moment to wonder, where's my daddy or mommy?

12. Plan a
special after-school treat for this first big day -- your little one deserves it (and so do you)!