There are several types of preschool curriculums available for parents to choose from when they enroll their child in a school or nursery. Parents need to choose a preschool that offers the types of curriculums and activities they feel will help their child develop properly. It can be overwhelming when trying to pick out a preschool. There are so many choices available, it is easy for parents to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. Some parents rely on recommendations from friends, while others choose a preschool based on ease of location. Whatever the case may be, it is important to ensure that the child’s interests and needs are met.
Common Types of Preschool Curriculum
There are quite a few types of curriculums that preschools can choose from.
#1: Montessori
The first type of preschool curriculum is the Montessori preschool curriculum. This style of teaching was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. The teaching style is based on offering a wide selection of educational activities that will help children reach their full potential. These activities and lessons center around a specific theme. The preschools that follow the Montessori method have a good balance of activities and lessons. Children have a lot of free play time as well as time to engage in educational activities.
#2: Reggio Emilia Approach
The second type of preschool curriculum is the Reggio Emilia approach. This teaching method was developed in Northern Italy, but it has since spread around the world. The preschools that follow the Reggio Emilia approach are based on a constructivist theory of learning. These preschools conduct lessons that center around specific projects or themes.
#3: Unit Studies
Another popular type of preschool curriculum is the unit study. The unit study focuses on a specific topic, but it is presented in an interdisciplinary manner. The children are exposed to several types of mediums and sources for learning about the topic at hand. For instance, a unit study on cats might include reading a book about cats, watching a movie about cats, and even playing games with pictures of cats.
#4: Charlotte Mason Approach
The fourth type of preschool curriculum is the Charlotte Mason approach. This teaching style is based on observing children and helping them develop organically. The preschools that use this style of teaching tend to be very relaxed and informal.
#5: Classical Education
The fifth type of preschool curriculum is the classical education method. This teaching style was developed in Greece and Rome, but it is still considered one of the most effective forms of education. The children that attend preschools that follow this method are exposed to a wide variety of educational activities. These activities are designed to help children develop strong memory skills. The preschools also place a lot of emphasis on reading aloud, writing, and reciting poetry.
#6: Homeschool Preschool Curriculums
The sixth type of preschool curriculum is the homeschool approach. This style of teaching was developed by parents who wanted to educate their children at home. Homeschools have a lot of freedom in regards to creating their lesson plans and activities. The children that attend homeschool preschools are not exposed to a lot of academic lessons. Instead, they focus on creative activities and learning through play.
How To Decide Which Curriculum Is Best For Your Preschooler
The obvious answer to this question is that one curriculum may be better than another depending on your child’s specific needs. If you feel like your child is struggling in certain areas, or if you feel like your child needs extra help to develop certain skills, then one of the standard curriculums may be more appropriate.
You need to do your research to find out which preschool curriculum will be the best fit for your child. Talk to other parents and teachers, and don’t be afraid to try a lesson or two yourself. You’ll quickly be able to determine which curriculum will meet your child’s specific needs.
You should never feel like you are stuck with the preschool curriculum that your child’s school chooses. Instead, treat your child’s education as a joint effort between yourself and the teachers. If you find that one type of curriculum is not working well for your child, then speak up! The most effective preschools know how to adjust their lessons to suit the needs of their students.
What To Include In Your Curriculum
You must find the time to create your curriculum. If you are unsure of where to start, then you should create some lesson plans based on the standard curriculums. This will force you to come up with several lesson plans that are relevant to your child’s grade level. You should then use these lessons as a starting point, and create additional activities or lessons based on your child’s specific interests.
For example, if you have an older child who is very interested in animals, then create a separate unit study on animals using your original lesson plans as a starting point. The ideas that you create will be more meaningful to your child because they are based on something that he or she is truly interested in.
Creating your own curriculum from scratch can be time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort. The most effective preschools spend a considerable amount of time designing lessons that will interest their students. If you follow their lead and create a relevant curriculum, then your child will be much more likely to retain the information and learn effectively.
It is also important that you include some fun activities in your curriculum. A truly great preschool doesn’t siphon all fun activities in favor of lessons, but instead, it creates an environment that is enjoyable for the students. This involves incorporating fun exercises and games into your curriculums so that the children don’t become burned out.
Importance of Monitoring Curriculum
You must monitor what your child has learned regularly. You can do this by conducting lessons or tests in various subjects before and after your child attends preschool. If you notice any big gaps in your child’s knowledge, then you should work to close these gaps with additional learning tools before sending him or her back to school.
You should also monitor the aspects that your child enjoys the most. Is he or she particularly interested in animals? If so, then include some games and exercises to further develop this skill. On the other hand, if your child is not very interested in math and science, then you may want to create a curriculum that covers these concepts as minimally as possible.
You need to be able to monitor how your child responds to different aspects of a curriculum. This will allow you to follow your child’s unique interests and provide him or her with a truly personalized education. Keep in mind that there are always ways that you can further personalize the educational experience for your child. The idea is not to find the perfect preschool curriculum but, instead, to find one that perfectly matches your child’s needs.
Preschool curriculum ideas are meant to prepare children for the future. To get the most out of your child’s educational experience, you need to create a curriculum that is based on his or her interests and needs. These learning materials should be carefully planned but also flexible enough for adjustments — this may involve working closely with your preschool’s teachers. With these strategies in mind, you will be able to create a preschool curriculum that is truly personalized for your child.
You need to establish a curriculum that is relevant and interesting for your child. This will let him or her learn more effectively and retain the information for longer periods. You should also monitor your child’s progress so that you can adjust the curriculum accordingly. Finally, remember to create a fun environment in which your preschooler will love to learn!
SchoolCues is an all-in-one school management system for small schools with limited budgets and resources. Our solutions include admissions and enrollment, online payments, student information system, gradebook, communications, parent engagement, donations and fundraising, alumni management and more. Schedule a demo with us today.