A-B-C & 1-2-3... What You Should Know About Preschool Education
Jan 23 '03
The Bottom Line Your child is most likely to enjoy his/her Preschool Education if the environment fits his/her learning style and if the instructor enjoys what he/she is doing.
There was a time when parents questioned if preschool education was necessary, now the question is more likely which preschool program is appropriate for your child. The fact of the matter is that a majority of children have received semi-formal or formal preschool education prior to Kindergarten. In fact it is safe to say that most children entering Kindergarten are educated to a level that used to be typical of a child exiting Kindergarten.
As an Early Childhood Educator and Mother of two – 8 & 12 – I am experienced with preschool education, both seeking it for my girls, and providing it for many children. There are multiple options for parents to explore, individual opinions differ, and what I will share is meant to represent my opinion. Ultimately you have to do what is appropriate for your child, and what is comfortable for your family unit.
Local Kindergartner Instructors Request
Chances are that if your child is in a daycare situation, they will receive some preschool equivalent academics. For some children, the enrichment received in such environments is appropriate enough to prepare them for Kindergarten.
When asking six local Kindergarten instructors what they expect children to know upon school entrance, they told me:
- For the child to be comfortable with large group, social situations.
- For the child to be able to sit in at circle time for 20 minutes.
Additionally, they told me that children will feel more comfortable if they know how to print their first name, can count to ten, can recite the alphabet, and can tie their shoes.
Preschool Preparation
As a preschool teacher, I strive to prepare children by helping them become fluent with:
- Say and recognize ABC’s (capital and lowercase letters of the alphabet).
- Recognize shapes and colors.
- Manipulate beginning sounds of the alphabet.
- Print their name.
- Count from 1 to 20.
- Distinguish the difference between left and right.
These are skills that I like to explore with children, and that I hope they master prior to entrance in Kindergarten. Fact of the matter is that each child is innately different, as mentioned in The Way They Learn, therefore not every child is going to excel in all areas. Importantly, children need to be encouraged to learn, have skills exampled to them, yet not expected to exhibit identical learning strengths.
Thus leads me to what I feel is vital for preschool consideration: proper child to environment match and proper instructor to child match. The best person(s) to determine this is the parent(s) or legal guardian. Your child is most likely to succeed if the environment fits his/her learning style and if the instructor enjoys what he/she is doing. I suggest making a list of possible preschool options, listing the pros/cons of each, and make a decision by process of elimination.
Although it is important that your child receives a preschool education, it is vital that you realize it doesn’t have to be formal. In fact, with minimal planning, you might be the best instructor for your child. With the web options, lessons are a click away, and enhancement opportunities are immense. Explore the possibility of providing the academics at home, while providing the social aspects via playgroups or classes such as dance, martial arts, art, and other outlets. Don’t fall victim to competition between parents that brag over the entrance gained for their child at supposed ‘high-end’ preschools. While the program might be good, it may not be necessary, and putting money aside for a college fund might be a better way to spend your dollars.
Honestly, there is much that you can provide on your own! For example:
- Read with your child(ren) daily!
A local principal told me that if she could reverse time she would make certain that she read with her children daily. She stated that simply speaking, that is one of the most important things that parents should do.
- Narrate with your child(ren).
Explain what you are doing, why, the results, and the possible changes.
When considering preschool options, an important exception to mention is that if your child exhibits a possible learning disability and/or lags in development, please seek assistance from the local school system. Early intervention can often prepare children for inclusion in streamlined Kindergarten programs.
What Works for Us
I teach preschool within my in-home licensed daycare. This environment works well for most children, but I am fully aware that this situation isn’t the prime offering for all kids. Therefore I have a four-week trial period. At the end of four-weeks, the parent(s) and I sit down and openly discuss if the child should continue in this school situation. You see I believe in honesty, and in assisting each child toward receiving the best possible education.
Occasionally, children appear to do better in a large, formal, classroom situation. For the most part, children prosper in small settings, such as the type offered within in-home combinations. This business began when my oldest daughter was four. So, I provided preschool education for both of our daughters.
Both of our girls our Spirited, yet their primary learning styles differ. Also, their preferred learning environment differs. Noise has never been a deterrent to my youngest, while my oldest prefers a quiet environment to work in. Both style preferences were met within the home.
Children attending my in-home daycare/preschool have varied styles too, and have excelled. I feel that having the benefit of classmates (Chelsea had three co-students, Marisa had two) for the preschool experience helped my children to prosper, but I don’t think it was vital. Bottom of the line is that I could have provided the preschool education for them even without operating an in-home daycare/preschool.
Our family utilizes a lot of ‘unschooling’ approaches. This means allowing most life happenstance to provide a lesson opportunity. Do you bake? Perfect! Include your children in the process. Measurements equal math, recipes require reading, and the entire process involves following directions. Excursions to the store allow for lessons in color, shape, and more. This is a mere example, email me for more ideas (if you wish).
Types? Isn’t Preschool… err… um Just Preschool?
As mentioned, there are choices within the spectrum of preschool options. Some of the varieties include:
Unschooling
Homeschooling
Montessori
Family Day Care Homes / Preschools
Day Care Centers / Preschools
Church Preschools
Head Start
Special Education/Public School Preschool
Co-Op Programs
I recommend exploring what options are available to you, how the attributes of each will match child need, and make a list for visitation. Prior to visiting, make a list of interview questions and characteristics that you will watch for. This list might include (Your needs will differ, so I borrowed a generic example for you.):
- Does the program have a clear written statement of its goals and philosophy?
- Do the goals address ALL areas of children's development, including social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development?
- Does the program offer a balance of individual, small group, and large group activities?
- Does it offer a balance of spontaneous play and teacher-guided activities?
- Are children provided regular opportunities for outdoor play?
- Do the activities provided encourage self-expression; allow for the development of various fine and large motor skills; and expose the children to literature, language experiences, music, art, science, and nature?
- Does the program encourage and respond to children's spontaneous interests in the beginnings of reading, writing, and counting?
- Does the staff solicit and follow up children's interests in the world around them?
- Do the content and materials of the program reflect cultural diversity and nonsexist attitudes?
- Is there a balance among small group activities, rest and quiet periods, and vigorous outdoor activities?
- Are the teachers trained in early childhood education?
- Does the director have experience as a teacher?
- Does the ratio of adults to children comply with state requirements?
- Has the staff been stable over the past few years?
- Does the staff welcome parents as visitors and participants, and respect parents preferences and ideas?
- In their interactions with children, do the teachers express warmth, interest, and respect for each child?
- Are the teachers engaged with the children most of the time?
- Is there an attractive spacious outdoor area for safe and vigorous outdoor play and activity?
- Is there a sufficient supply of equipment for the size of the group?
- Are the children always supervised when outdoors?
- Are the snacks and meals of sufficient nutritional quality?
- Do the classrooms contain different kinds of spaces so that children can find small quiet places when they need to?
(Example Questions Borrowed From: http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/find.preschool.html)
Recommended Sites
I recommend the following sites for additional information:
http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/presch.dev.html
http://www.kidsource.com/
http://www.naeyc.org/
http://www.ldonline.org/
Finally I want to let you know that preschool should be fun. There will be times of emotional upset as life skills are learned via friendship experimentation, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming. You know your child best, I always advise to trust your gut feeling. Next I want to tell you that waving goodbye those first few weeks can be hard for mom or dad, but ultimately this is a time in-which your child desires increased independence and actually enjoys the shared time with friends. There are so many questions that you might have, as an Early Childhood Educator I adore working with kids, and welcome email correspondence regarding issues pertaining to such. Thanks and Happy Parenting!
©2003 Lisa_J
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Lisa_J
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
Reviews written: 1010
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About Me:
Mom of two wonderfully spirited daughters. Childcare Director. Spectator fan of dance.
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