| Choosing a preschool is a difficult decision for | | | | greater its educational value. No early thrust into |
| many parents. The factors to consider can be | | | | intellectualism is found in Waldorf, just the |
| overwhelming and finding the right fit for your | | | | nourishment of the child's healthy imagination and |
| child can be a challenge. However, with all of the | | | | creative thinking powers. |
| choices available it IS possible to find a preschool | | | | No matter what the school's philosophy, dedicating |
| that gives you and your child a fulfilling experience | | | | time for open-ended play is essential. Many |
| to build on for future growth. | | | | researchers have found that children's play is a |
| There are several factors to take into account | | | | highly supportive context for development and |
| when looking for a preschool. A preschool's | | | | learning (Piaget 1952; Fein 1981; Bergen 1988; |
| educational philosophy, class size, qualifications of | | | | Smilansky & Shefatya 1990; Fromberg 1992; |
| the teachers, schedule and location are all items to | | | | Berk & Winsler 1995). Children are active |
| consider. But for some, the process may start | | | | constructors of knowledge and play gives them |
| with the question, "Why preschool?" | | | | opportunities to understand the world, interact |
| The Benefits of a Preschool Experience | | | | with others in social ways, express and control |
| Parents may wonder if preschool is even | | | | emotions and develop their symbolic capabilities. |
| necessary. After all, they may not have attended | | | | Research also demonstrates that children's |
| preschool when they were young. Kim Siffring, | | | | language and literacy skills can be enhanced by |
| director of Denver Cooperative Preschool, | | | | teachers providing a thematic organization for |
| provides the following reasons for adopting a | | | | play; offering appropriate props, space and time; |
| preschool experience: | | | | and becoming involved in the play by extending |
| Children are sensory learners. They need a place | | | | and elaborating on children's ideas (Levy, Schaefer |
| to make a mess and learn through the process. | | | | & Phelps 1986; Schrader 1989, 1990; Morrow |
| Children need socialization. Being around other kids | | | | 1990; Pramling 1991; Levy, Wolfgang & |
| helps them learn to make friends, how to play | | | | Koorland 1992). |
| together, share and problem solve. | | | | Teachers and Class Size |
| Parents need a break. Beyond giving parents | | | | Parents should review the qualifications of the |
| some time to recharge their batteries, separation | | | | teachers. Do the teachers have a certificate in |
| from parents aids children's independence and lets | | | | early childhood education? What training was |
| them learn that there are other adults to lean on, | | | | required prior to employment at the school? Is |
| learn from and listen to. | | | | ongoing training provided? Are teachers required |
| Society's expectations may be different. Seeing | | | | to participate? Ask the school about teacher |
| that there are different routines and different | | | | turnover; a low turnover rate in teachers is |
| ways of doing things widens a child's perspective | | | | usually a good sign. |
| and helps them learn to adapt to different | | | | Kim Siffring also suggests, "Check the |
| situations. | | | | teacher-child ratios, and note how many children |
| There is a growing body of research | | | | are in a classroom. Smaller classes allow for more |
| demonstrating that social and sensory-motor | | | | individualized attention. But larger class sizes may |
| experiences during the first three years of a | | | | be okay if there is more than one teacher |
| child's life directly affect neurological development | | | | attending to the class." Generally, a 1:4 |
| of the brain, with important and lasting implications | | | | teacher-child ratio is ideal for 2- to 3-year-olds, 1:7 |
| for a child's capacity to learn (Dana Alliance for | | | | is ideal for 3- to 4-year-olds and 1:10 is ideal for |
| Brain Initiatives 1996). Ms. Siffring added, "A good | | | | 5-year-olds. |
| preschool experience can also build a foundation | | | | The Practical Aspects |
| for future learning by creating a positive | | | | Beyond the impression a school makes, other |
| association." | | | | hard factors come into play. Proximity to the |
| Teaching Philosophy | | | | house or a parent's work may be important, as |
| Teaching philosophy will likely be a large | | | | well as the class schedule. Parents should review |
| component of choosing a school for your child. | | | | what days and times classes are offered to be |
| There are several different types of teaching | | | | sure they fit in the family's schedule. |
| philosophies for preschool and within any given | | | | Cost may be a factor. Some schools provide |
| philosophy there can be many differences from | | | | some type of financial aid program for families in |
| one classroom to another due to the style and | | | | need and in some cases more parental |
| interpretation of the individual teacher. Parents | | | | involvement can be traded for expense. |
| should visit several schools, sit in on a class and | | | | The overall involvement of parents required by a |
| see what philosophy is most appealing given your | | | | school is also something to consider. A |
| child's personality. General explanations of some of | | | | cooperative preschool has a lot of family |
| the common philosophies in the area are: | | | | involvement and is a great way to develop |
| Montessori. The Montessori classroom has an | | | | friendships for both the parents and children. You |
| emphasis on reality. The tasks and activities the | | | | may find a place that builds community between |
| children do are reality oriented. Each manipulative | | | | attending families appealing, or you may want to |
| material has a systematic procedure for being | | | | be more hands-off. |
| used and is focused toward a specific learning | | | | Visit in Person |
| concept. A child's choice is a key element in the | | | | After whittling down a list of possible schools by |
| Montessori method and children are free to | | | | asking questions over the phone and speaking |
| choose their own activities in the classroom with | | | | with other parents, take the time to visit the |
| minimal structured time. | | | | schools in person. Observe a class, talk to the |
| Play-based. The Play-based philosophy is centered | | | | school's director and teachers and talk to parents |
| on the belief that children naturally engage in and | | | | whose children attend the school. A good time to |
| enjoy play as a means of learning on their terms | | | | do this is in the fall or early winter the year prior |
| and at their own pace. A basic routine for the | | | | to your child attending. Most preschools hold open |
| class gives some structure and allows children to | | | | houses for new parents around that time and it is |
| anticipate what is next. The teachers' expertise is | | | | an excellent opportunity to learn first hand about |
| used to set up the classroom and interact with | | | | the school and its teaching philosophy. |
| children as they play to introduce concepts and | | | | The Right Fit |
| expand their play. The way children interact with | | | | "A lot can be said for a school that makes the |
| the classroom environment is child-directed, as is | | | | parents feel comfortable, both being there |
| the amount of time they spend on any given | | | | themselves and leaving their child there," stresses |
| activity. | | | | Ms. Siffring. "Taking the time to visit different |
| Waldorf. The Waldorf classroom works to | | | | schools will give you a sense of the atmosphere |
| enhance a child's world of fantasy and imagination | | | | and how children are treated and interacted with." |
| to stimulate play. Storytelling and fantasy are | | | | Ultimately, choosing a preschool is a personal |
| prevalent in the curriculum. There is also an | | | | decision. If, after visiting a preschool, you love the |
| emphasis on using natural materials and | | | | idea of having your child there, it is probably the |
| hand-made toys--with the belief that the less | | | | right place for you. |
| finished and the more suggestive a toy is, the | | | | |