Every child care center across the country chooses for itself a child education approach. There are three main approaches to teaching babies, preschoolers, and young elementary school children. Here are those three approaches so that you, as a parent, can decide which approach you want for your child(ren) when you place your child(ren) in a daycare facility.
Teacher-Centered Approach
This is a traditional teaching approach, where the teacher leads the children from one activity to the next, giving children time to engage with each activity and learn what they can from it. Playtime is more about learning and not so much about play, although the teacher will do some fun and engaging activities that do not seem like educational activities. Different areas of the classroom are set up in such a way that the teacher can lead the young pupils from one learning area to the next in accordance with the daily schedule. This approach is very structured, which may be ideal for kids that need a strict, structured schedule in order to learn and develop.
The Enriched Classroom Approach
In this approach, several different kinds of developmentally appropriate materials are available for the children to explore. There are several periods of "free time" or "free choice time" where the kids can select any of the available toys and materials in the classroom to play with and spend time exploring independently of the teacher. The teacher does do some guided activities involving science, art, music, etc. in between the free time activities. Additionally, the teacher creates a number of handmade enrichment activities every week to add to the classroom materials for the children to use and explore.
The Montessori Approach
In the Montessori approach, the children lead the classroom activities. They discuss or explore things that interest them, and the teacher is only there to help them find answers to the questions they have about what they are learning. Materials are basic in appearance, but what the children learn from using these materials is more complex than you might think. Montessori preschools prepare children for a lifelong Montessori education, which often transitions into elementary, middle, high, and private school programs. In some school districts, the Montessori program becomes a charter school program at the elementary and middle school levels. Check out these schools in your city, and then decide if you want your child(ren) to enter the Montessori approach in daycare so that they can continue this approach throughout their school years.
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