Educational programs for preschoolers hold significant importance in the developmental process. By teaching children essential skills, these programs aim to shape children into better adults, therefore parents must select a program that best fits their values and your child’s learning style. According to the HighScope Preschool Study, tods who enroll in high-quality preschool programs are well-prepared for kindergarten and show improved social and academic skills throughout their schooling.
In this blog post we’ll be giving an overview about 8 best learning programs for preschoolers
to help parents to pick from, Each known for its distinct approach and emphasis on holistic child development.
Below are the 8 Best Preschool Programs Parents can Pick for their Lil Champs
1. Reggio Emilia inspired programs
Imagine a world in which children are viewed as inquisitive explorers, their creativity is encouraged, and their different points of view are appreciated. This is the concept behind the Reggio Emilia approach. This program has altered how we perceive and facilitate early education.
In this program, preschoolers learn by exploring ideas and working on project-based activities. This all happened in a creative space and with their atelierista. This educational approach was developed by Loris Malaguzzi. He was an Italian educator with a notion to improve a child’s learning through real-life experiences, instead of a fixed curriculum. His educational philosophy was based on a love of discovery, personality development, and respect for others..
The Reggio Emilia approach is based on the philosophy of an image of a child. All children are viewed as full of potential, with an innate sense of curiosity and endless imagination. They are creative, capable of constructing their learning, and have a natural interest in exploring while staying connected with others.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Reggio Emilia uses a child-centered approach and project-based learning. Classroom activities are also often collaborative, allowing learners to forge healthy relationships around them.
Overall, the Reggio Emilia program encourages children to create and explore. The creative space and inclusion of family in the child’s learning journey are crucial to its success.
2. Waldorf programs
Rudolf Steine developed Waldorf’s approach. This educational approach is based on the principles of anthroposophy. The goal of a Waldorf education is to develop free but morally responsible individuals equipped with a high degree of social competence and creative capabilities. Factual knowledge, homework, and test scores receive less attention however, sorytelling and experimentation are the main methods of instruction in this program.
Waldorf uses a unique project-based approach to almost all main academic subjects. Instead of repetitive schedules, a specific subject, such as history, math, science, or even gardening, dominates the first two hours in the morning for 4-6 weeks. After that, a new subject gets the main focus.
Steiner also invented an experiential approach to science, whereby students observe and later describe scientific concepts in their own words and drawings rather than learning about them in a textbook first. In the spirit of personal development and empathy, competition, and grades are avoided in Waldorf’s approach . Teachers instead assess the student’s individual growth of character.
Acclaimed psychiatrist William Glasser famously said that we learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, but 80% of what we experience. One could argue that despite their low-tech approach, the experiential learning method of Waldorf education is exceptionally contemporary.
3. Montessori programs
The Montessori Approach is a child-centered program that sees teachers as learning guides. Children’s learning is self-paced in a mixed-age classroom setting. This method offers five key study areas: practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language, and cultural studies. Montessori Approach was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator who wanted to encourage teamwork among children. It utilizes special educational tools to build confidence in children through cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Children in a Montessori setting learn independently or in groups. Children choose the activities they’re interested in, which promotes accountability, independence, and passion. Teachers then help children harness their skills through after-school activities and question-and-answer sessions. Classrooms use moldable learning materials to help kids explore new passions, concepts, and skills in a hands-on learning approach. The classroom is often free of desks, with uninterrupted sessions for the learners.
This learning method incorporates global leadership, social justice, and promoting constructive conflict resolution. It emphasizes self-motivation through individualized learning
4. HighScope programs
The HighScope program uses evidence-based practices to actively engage children and establish school readiness skills. This program is based on science and language development for young children and merely assumes that children learn best through hands-on experience and that if they are able to manipulate and use what they’re learning, their understanding will be greatly enhanced. It also incorporates something called plan-do-review where children are introduced to a topic before it happens
In a HighScope setting, children are exposed to an environment that fosters the development of cognitive skills and builds cultural, emotional, and social bonds. The classroom becomes a community where everyone watches out for each other.
Early childhood education programs using the HighScope method rely on key development indicators to guide teachers in choosing appropriate projects and activities for different ages. This makes it easy for teachers to understand and interpret the needs of children and tailor their teaching to these particular needs.
The center of this model is play. A teacher will act as the child’s partner in a “play, do, review” sequence. Children get to select a project, plan on how to reach their goals and work with the teacher to analyze the outcomes.
5. Parent cooperative programs
A parent cooperative preschool program allows parents to be directly and actively involved in their child’s education and learning. Coops preschools occur when like-minded parents join together to hire teachers who fit their children’s learning styles. While the system emphasizes the value of education, it also grows the bond between parent and child.
With a parent cooperative program, the teachers and parents work in tandem to ensure smooth learning processes. Parents are often present during teaching sessions and will supervise their children. Typically, parents offer advice or contribute to the curriculum, sometimes assuming administrative roles, including assisting teachers with lessons.
6. Bank Street inspired Programs
The Bank Street approach , developed by Lucy Sprague Mitchell and inspired by John Dewey, emphasizes hands-on education and play as central to learning. This developmental interaction model fosters a democratic classroom where children’s opinions are valued equally with adults’, promoting social justice. In practice, teachers leverage children’s interests to explore topics deeply—like using a pretend soup-making game to teach about recipes, math, and science. This approach encourages exploring the world through activities that are relevant to the children, enhancing their understanding and engagement. The Bankstreet method, with its focus on active learning and respect for children’s voices, offers a dynamic and inclusive educational environment.
There’s no competition among the learners—they decide whether they learn using a hands-on approach or through observation. Teachers provide one-on-one attention with the learner’s passion in mind.
7. Faith-based – Regional Programs
Faith-based programs incorporate religious beliefs and values into their curriculum, adding a spiritual element to early childhood education. These programs vary greatly by religion, but generally incorporate appropriate learning with religious education, prayer, and community service. Faith-based programs are appropriate for families seeking moral and spiritual guidance in them comes to basic education in addition to academic achievement.
8. Ascend programs
The Ascend program is a skill-based curriculum that develops the student’s creative, social-emotional, physical and intellectual abilities. Children participate in teacher-directed activities that encourage personalized interaction. Through personalization, children interact with others while having fun and develop an interest in learning. They are also encouraged to use critical thinking to find solutions to complex problems in this approach.
This preschool curriculum provides a balance of structure and flexibility. Teachers provide a personalized approach to learning and encourage children to undertake their own projects. The goal is to help them build a solid foundation for themselves in developing the necessary skills through their creativity.
Premier Preschool Programs for Early Childhood Development
If you are seeking out a terrific or best educational programs for preschoolers, the High Achievers Learning Center will be a good suit. It offers special training programs for kids aged 36-48 months, that specialize in language, literacy, social-emotional, and problem-solving skills. As children transition from infancy to preschool, their curriculum ensures a smooth and healthy learning experience.
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Final thoughts
In conclusion, every preschool program offers a distinct approach to laying a solid early educational foundation for your child. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each option, including preschools with special education programs, is crucial for selecting the best fit for your child’s learning style and values. Engaging with teachers and observing classrooms in action can provide valuable insights into which curriculum might be the most suitable. Whether your priorities include creativity, autonomy, social engagement, academic readiness, or specialized support, there is a preschool program designed to help your child thrive during their formative years.
