Back to School - Types of preschool models.
You wouldn’t necessarily know it, but there are lots of different kinds of preschool programs for littles. We’ll go over some of the big ones here, and remember to join me on Facebook for a special live Q&A on September 27th at 2:30 Eastern.
Montessori
Founded by Maria Montessori in Italy in the 1940s, this model of early childhood education emphasizes individual skills to teach children. The kids don’t play, they “work” (play is the work of childhood). There is a focus on individual choice, individual direction and focus, and following through. I think parents like this approach because the classrooms are well-organized, with natural materials, and the atmosphere feels pretty orderly: kids are quietly doing their work.
However, Montessori is really NOT a good choice for kids who need to work on social skills and pretend play. For kids who need to work on social communication and problem solving as well as flexibility, this is one of the worst possible programs. The emphasis on individual work, individual choice and the rigidity of how the materials are used only serve to fossilize existing strengths in kids who struggle with change, fluid social dynamics and other social communication issues.
Certainly for most kids on the autism spectrum, Montessori education is further strengthening areas of strength while ignoring the areas of need (social interaction, problem solving, resilience), which can lead to an even bigger imbalance for these guys.
Reggio Emillia
This is another Italian approach that emphasizes the child’s interest as a point of departure for the teacher. Materials are meant to be natural – little to no plastic, ideally (though difficult in practice) – and sensory-rich: different textures, colors, shapes and sizes. Reggio emphasizes a cooperative, fluid, child-driven approach to play and education that focuses on process vs. product. The curriculum is very much driven by the interests of the kids.
Reggio (or Reggio-inspired) programs are my favorite because they allow for a lot of flexibility based on the children’s needs. The teacher is empowered to provide as much or as little support during play and other activities as the kiddos need. There’s a focus on group collaboration and cooperation that is good for most types of kids -- even those who struggle with social interactions. For kids with speech and language or other developmental challenges, Reggio -- or any other type of play-based program (see below) can be a great option.
Play-based vs. academic-readiness based
BEWARE of preschools that say that they spend time “getting kids ready for kindergarten” as their primary goal. The way to get ready for kindergarten is to play, learn how to take direction from someone other than your parent, resolve conflict constructively and share space with other humans.
Preschool aged children are mostly NOT ready to do “sit and learn”-type activities. They learn best by being active, participating and engaging in problem-solving during play.
You can learn as much (or more, if you’re a 3 year old) about math by counting out how many napkins you’ll need for your pretend restaurant customers than by doing a worksheet with numbers and pictures on it. You’ll strengthen more muscles and better prepare for writing by digging in the dirt with a shovel than by sitting and trying to hold a pencil before the rest of your body is ready to support this activity.
A good play-based program inherently supports school readiness in a way that an “academic readiness” program might not.
Waldorf
Waldorf is another developmental, play-based, child-centered philosophy founded by Rudolph Steiner. Focus is on nurturing the child’s interests to create strong internal motivation to learn and develop skills. Teachers must be certified in the method. This is another lovely option for many kids and families.
In addition to these approaches, a school might also have:
Immersion – this means that another language is being taught or used at the school. Language immersion is NOT an educational approach, so you’ll want to know what kind of program is used there so that you can figure out if it’s a good fit for your child. Just because a program bills itself as immersion or bilingual, doesn’t mean it’s right for your child.
Inclusion -- an inclusion environment means that the school or classroom is open to having both students who are neurotypical and students who are neurodiverse (who have special needs). In my experience, schools with an inclusion model have a strong program because they understand how to create an environment in which all children can thrive. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s right for your child, but don’t discount an inclusion program either.
Co-operative – this means that you will have to put in some time working at the preschool. This can be awesome or awful for you and your child, so you just have to decide how you feel about this. Sometimes co-op nursery schools have a “pay your way out” option or a sliding pay scale based on how much you’re able/willing to co-op. These programs tend to be smaller, more community-based and people who are fans, LOVE them.
Outdoor – as the name suggests, if a program bills itself as outdoor, the kids spend a lot (the majority) of their time outside. This is (mostly) amazing for kids. There tends to be less structure and more physical activity than other “more-indoor” programs. Kids for whom this kind of program might be too challenging for would be: children on the autism spectrum who have trouble knowing how to engage in activities without structure; children with sensory processing issues, for whom being outside is too overwhelming.
Still have questions?
Join me for a special Facebook Live on September 27th at 2:30pm eastern for a Q&A all about preschool options for your little one. Even though the school-year just started, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year. And if you have questions about the school your child is already in, we can talk about that too!
Can’t wait to see you on Facebook Live on September 27th at 2:30 Eastern.