Preschool Has to Be High-Quality to Make a Big Difference for Kids
by Steve Son Marketing RepresentativeThe effects of preschool can last a lifetime. But it
has to be high-quality to have that kind of impact. According to research, 3-
and 4-year-olds who attend a high-quality preschool can position them for
academic success for years to come. At the same time, research also shows that
most preschool programs are not of very good quality. Many of our most
vulnerable children, many children from middle-class families attend the lowest
quality programs. There’s a huge demand across the country to develop more
high-end preschool programs since early years’ matter, and getting into the
“right” preschool can carve the trajectory of your child's remaining decades.
Parents are often uncertain about what actually
matters when evaluating a potential preschool, Short Hills in view to constraints
on price, availability and location. No matter what
educational philosophy or model an early childhood classroom uses, effective preschool
programs share common elements that should be easily identifiable on the first
visit itself. Here are the crucial elements that you should look for when
choosing a preschool:
Classroom Environment- Preschool classrooms
should have an open floor plan with low shelves, tables and chairs and the
bathroom section should be within view of the teacher, besides being conducive
to learning which should feel joyful and friendly, and offering a variety of
activities. Observe the surroundings and see how safe it is if your kid wasn’t
being watched every second. Methods of imparting the basic academic skills in
reading, math, science and social studies should be through discovery and
creative activities.
You can inquire about things like the amount of time
spent in group activities, time spent in free play, etc.
Teachers- Assess the quality of children’s relationships with
the staff, especially teachers who should guide academic growth and model
classroom behaviour. Pay close attention to the friendliness of the teachers
and the language used in the classroom. Observe a few different classrooms to
see how the teachers interact with students, who should constantly be observing kids as
they work and play, prompt students to resolve disputes, look engaged, ask
open-ended questions, etc.
Discipline Policies- Preschools should emphasize
positive approaches to teaching children new skills and proactive strategies to
manage behaviour, and help children understand their feelings and interact with
their peers. You might come across pictures and charts to help kids identify
feelings, where corporal punishment is a big NO, teachers deal with misbehaviours
calmly.
Safety- Schedule a tour and check whether or not
chemicals are stored in closed cabinets, tall furniture is secured to walls,
basic standards of cleanliness are met, fire safety certifications are up to
date, no open bodies of water- all these ensure that your kid is in no way at
undue physical risk while at preschool.
Stay away from programs that do not utilize a
consistent, research-based curriculum; adults aren’t passionate (teachers look
disinterested); teachers do not have proper training, certifications and support to execute the educational approach and/or curriculum being
utilized by the school; the classroom feels cramped, dirty, dark or unorganized
(kids require adequate space to engage in gross motor activities).
Genius Kids Academy
(732)851-6427
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Created on Mar 22nd 2020 07:57. Viewed 321 times.