FAQ about childhood education

By William Sears, M.d.

http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-preschool-questions

My child is 2 years old, and we're planning to put him in preschool. What factors should we consider when selecting one?

[ANSWER {My first piece of advice: Don't feel pressured to get your child into a preschool before he's ready. It's my belief, although there's no research to support it, that one of the great preschool myths is that your child may be academically disadvantaged if he doesn't attend a preschool. When parents who aren't keen on putting their kids in preschool ask me for my thoughts, I tell them the only things children are likely to get at preschool that they won't at home are bad habits and an increase in their exposure to germs. That said, there are situations, such as a parent returning to work, when not going to preschool is not an option. Also, some parents feel that their child will profit from the companionship and the group-learning stimulation of preschool.

If you do decide to send your son to preschool, it's important to match him with the right one, since this is probably his first experience with regularly being away from home, learning to get along in a group, and getting his first taste of "school." You're going to have to do some homework. Quiz neighboring parents who have child-rearing values similar to yours and ask which preschools they recommend. You'll also want to consider the following:

Preschool should be an extension of home: Your son's public education should complement rather than replace his home education. Ideally, the preschool you choose should share your child-rearing values. It's best to begin your search by making a list of priorities, such as a nurturing staff.

Visit the preschools on your list: (1) Examine the child-to-teacher ratio. At 2 years of age, it should be no higher than six children per teacher. (2) Meet the staff: Quiz the director on the general philosophy of the school and discipline techniques, and spend as much time as possible interviewing people who work there. Basically, you'll get a gut feeling whether a teacher is the kind of person who will know how to get your child excited about learning. Ask yourself: Is this the person I want my child spending several hours a day with? Is this the right environment for my son? Watch how the teacher relates to your son. Is he or she someone your child will enjoy being around? Be sure to take your son along and see how he reacts; don't be afraid to take cues from your child. (3) While you're at the preschool, don't neglect to examine the play equipment: Is it safe? (4) The goal of preschool is to prepare your son for big school, so you'll want to examine the preschool's methods of reading and writing preparation.

Observe the children at preschools you're visiting: Are they enjoying themselves, interacting, smiling, and do they seem interested in what they're doing? Does art made by kids decorate the walls? Find out if the children alternate active and quiet play, since both of these are necessary for preschool children. Examine the arts-and-crafts area. Does a sense of order prevail? At the same time, are the toddlers encouraged to mess around while, say, finger painting? Are children taught to share, wait their turns, and generally be considerate of other playmates? One of the most important goals of preschool is to give your son the social tools he'll need to succeed in life.

Are the snacks nutritious? It may seem like a small thing, but a nutritionally savvy preschool director understands how nutrition can affect learning and behavior.

After you've selected a preschool, prepare your son's teacher: Meet with your child's instructor and share your child's special needs or personality quirks, as well as anything you feel could make your son's school experience more pleasant. This also makes a good first impression on the teacher.

When your son first attends preschool, it should only be for a couple of hours a few days a week. Lengthen the school day as your situation demands and your child desires. To minimize normal separation anxieties, be prepared to spend some time in the preschool during the first week or two. If you can, stay with your child for the first hour for a few days to help ease the transition. Be sure your child knows that you believe he's ready. And don't project your own separation anxiety to your son; kids are very perceptive and will be upset if they detect it.

Sometimes the only way to know if your child's ready for preschool and which preschool is best for him is to try it out.}]

Child independence at home

When toddlers and young preschoolers start in Montessori, parents are often amazed at the sudden spurt in independence and skill their children display.

If your child is starting in a Montessori toddler or preschool program, and you want to witness this incredible development in your own child, it helps if you are able to prepare your home environment in ways that support your child’s new skills and desire to be independent.

Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Provide simple storage spots for belongings right inside the front door.  A small rug to place shoes or a basket to put them into and some hooks to hang jackets are a great start.  This can help your child get out of the house and back in more independently, and maybe prevent some meltdowns!  A little stool to sit on helps, as well.

2. Make your kitchen accessible to your child.  Find a low shelf or drawer to store cups, placemats, and utensils within your child’s reach.  Buy glass cups and inexpensive ceramic plates (IKEA is great!) that you don’t mind getting broken.  Invite your child to set his own place at the table.  A bigger step stool, or a learning tower can be a great help to little people who want to join you in the fun cooking activities at counter height.  And, of course, when it comes time to sit down and eat, encourage your child to feed himself:  Even young toddlers can eat finger-foods on their own, and start using a spoon; this is what they do in their Montessori classrooms, too.

3. Organize and simplify the play area.  Fewer toys, displayed on open shelves, are preferable over lots of toys in boxes that the children can’t see.

4. Small chairs and tables facilitate independent snack time and organized playtime.  Provide some buckets, sponges, rags, and child-sized brooms, and your child can even clean up after himself.

5. Facilitate getting dressed independently.  Low open shelves, low racks, a mirror and a bench with brush or comb can enable even 2- or 3-year-olds to begin to dress independently, especially if you pre-select an outfit the night before, or lay out two simple choices for a younger child.

6. Consider a floor or other low bed.  Some Montessori parents never have cribs; instead, they baby-proof an entire room and let even infants sleep on a floor bed.  While this may not work for every parent, a low bed or a twin mattress on the floor can be a great step up after a crib, instead of a toddler bed.

7. Make books accessible and create cozy reading areas.  The more that books are all over your house, the easier it is for your child to grab a book instead of asking for your iPhone or the TV when you are not available to play.

To see growth in your child’s independence, it’s not necessary to reorganize your entire house (who has the time and energy for that?!).  Just pick one or two ideas and make little changes over time.  You might think your child is too young to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities for independence—but once she starts school, you might be just as surprised and thrilled as the LePort Montessori parents who wrote the Facebook posts above! 

Thanks to Bernadette, a LePort parent of three children, ages infant to preschool, for inviting us into her house to take many of these beautiful pictures!

Related Posts

• Transitioning to Montessori: Independence (Part 1 of 5)
• What's the big deal with independence in Montessori preschool?
• The Dual Purpose of Montessori Preschool Practical Life Activities