Information About Choosing A Preschool Medford Oregon Parents Will Find Helpful

By Sally Delacruz


The right preschool program can make a huge impact on a child's early learning experiences and development. It is up to the parents to make sure that the school they select offers an environment that will foster the child's social and cognitive learning. By personally visiting each preschool Medford Oregon families can best evaluate them and see to it that each of the following essential qualities is present.

The school should have clean floors and toys and not have any unpleasant odors. Cleanliness is important, but messiness is to be expected as this is merely an indication that the children are thoroughly enjoying the many activities available to them. The children should have personal cubbies and washrooms equipped with child-sized washrooms, and also have easy access to snacks and all classroom materials at all times. The room should be organized into areas offering various activities like art, building, reading, water play and such.

Independent and group play are the main vehicles through which young children learn. A healthy preschool environment consists of a classroom abuzz with the action of children playing and interacting together, and participating in "circle time" with their teachers to hear stories or sing songs. The emphasis should be on free play as opposed to structure.

Teachers working with kids in this age group, which usually consists of three to five year-olds, need to relate to them on their own level, and also help them with any problems that may arise, acting as an intermediary if there are any disputes with other students, as there inevitably will be. They need to treat each child as an individual and respect their uniqueness as a person, building on their strengths and helping to develop any areas they may struggle with.

The body language these teachers use also matters. Kneeling or crouching down to the child's level and making eye contact is an important way to establish a connection between the adult teachers and their preschool students. It helps to make them more approachable and conveys a message of caring. A teacher should be someone the child feels at ease with and can rely on for support and encouragement.

There should be plenty of the children's artwork displayed throughout the classroom. This shows that creativity is valued in the class and gives the little ones a sense of pride and accomplishment when they can see their creations on display. Children need the freedom to do their own thing artistically at this age and a good school will emphasize this.

The classroom materials need to stimulate creativity and exploration should be varied, in fairly good shape, and suitable for use by children of this age. Imagination can be used in simulated real-life play centers such as a kitchen, doctor's office etc., and through dressing up in various types of clothes and uniforms. Other items such as books, blocks, dolls, cars, and supplies for arts and crafts should also be available.

While formal evaluation is generally not emphasized at the preschool level, ideally the teachers should keep track of each child's development and progress as it can help identify any delays. It's best if such issues can be recognized and addressed prior to when the child starts kindergarten, a good preschool will notice any areas the child struggles in, and help him or her overcome them as much as possible.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment