Research shows that children’s well-being has a positive association with early childhood services. This includes formal schooling and early education.
But education isn’t one-size-fits-all. And the education you choose for your child’s early life directly influences their future learning.
As a parent or guardian, you might be confused by all the education models out there. How do you know which to pick if your child is very young? On top of that, you feel pressured to choose because the application deadlines are coming up.
Don’t worry, because our article has everything you need to know. We’ll cover some of the top education models so you can pick the right one to set your child up for success!
Traditional Public Education
First, let’s review the education model behind traditional preschool programs.
Public schools have teacher-directed learning. This means that the teacher will choose the subjects and tasks the children need to do.
The environment is also very structured. Children attend class with other kids of the same age, and everyone sits at an assigned desk. They may listen to the teacher give a lesson, fill out worksheets, or do assignments with set due dates.
Evaluation in public school is done through tests with set dates, projects, and report cards. This is how teachers and parents can gauge how the child is progressing through the curriculum.
While most kids go through this sort of education (even in preschool teaching), it’s not the right fit for everyone. Even if you’re planning on enrolling your kid in public school later, they may benefit from a different educational model at the start.
Montessori
Aside from the regular public school curriculum, the most commonly known education model is Montessori.
The Montessori method dates back to the start of the 20th century. It was created by Maria Montessori, who was an Italian educator.
Montessori systems look at children as individuals who have an innate desire to learn. Unlike traditional public schools, Montessori schools are student-directed. This means that children decide what tasks they want to work on based on what they’re curious about.
The teacher’s role is to use observation to see how the child is advancing. Then, the teacher will use these observations to encourage the kids to keep learning.
Children also get as much time as they need to complete their tasks. This is very different from the regular tests and project deadlines in public school. The idea behind this is for Montessori kids to learn how to focus on tasks and complete them on their own.
The ultimate goal of Montessori education is to foster a love of learning. With a more open and stress-free method, Montessori teachers hope that the kids’ love of learning will last a lifetime.
Montessori schools are great options for kids who love to learn independently and have a love of learning.
Reggio Emilia
Like Montessori, the Reggio Emilia approach focuses on the curiosity that all kids have.
With this approach, teachers focus on how they can help kids with active learning. Teachers may ask students to learn concepts through more than just writing or learning from a book.
For example, students might show their learning through drama, music, and art. This is because the Reggio Emilia approach also encourages self-expression and creativity.
Teachers in the Reggio Emilia approach also help kids be stimulated by their surroundings. They might give kids new learning materials or encourage them to follow their natural curiosity on a subject.
Finally, teachers will give students many different experiences and opportunities to learn. They can do this through in-depth projects and collaborating with other students.
Waldorf Steiner
This method was created between the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Rudolph Steiner, who was a scholar.
The Waldorf Steiner approach is a holistic way of education. The aim is to teach students traditional subjects that they would learn in public school. But the difference is that they learn these subjects in non-traditional ways.
These include sensory and hands-on learning. An example of hands-on learning is a child that’s learning how to tell time. The child would make a clock out of paper and then move the hands to learn (rather than only watching the teacher explain it).
The Waldorf Steiner Method also changes depending on what stage of development a child is at. These are:
- Early childhood (up to age 7)
- Ages 7-14
- Ages 14+
This is because kids in early childhood development learn best through physical tasks or through playing. Between 7 and 14, they learn best through imagination and feeling. Past this age, children learn best through thinking.
The Most Important Elements of a Childcare Curriculum
Whichever education model you choose, there are a few elements that make up a great childcare curriculum. Even in the childcare industry, the best curriculum is:
- Age-appropriate
- Supports social and emotional development
- Works on literacy and communication skills
- Explores different types of learning
- Develops motor skills and sensory organization
You’ll notice that each education model has at least a bit of each of these aspects.
But the different models emphasize each of these points differently, so think about which skills you’d most like your child to develop. Then, take a look at how much emphasis each curriculum puts on that skill.
Many modern schools and childcare solutions incorporate elements of all these education models. They then create their own curriculum. This could be based on elements like creativity and curiosity, such as Willowdalechildrens.com.
Choose Between the Top Education Models for Your Child
Choosing the education model that will be best for your child is not an easy decision.
The three education models we discussed today all have different approaches and philosophies. But it’s important to know what these are so you can figure out which one suits your child best.
With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be able to choose between education models and childcare services with confidence. And when you do, you’re setting up a strong foundation for your child’s future success!
And with some countries already supporting parents with ccs payment, you should definitely choose a school that will provide quality education to your child.
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