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If you are a parent whose 2- to 4-year-old child is ready for preschool, you should know that there several different types of preschool programs available in which you can enroll your child. These programs vary in methodology and what is taught to children. Comparing preschool programs can help you decide which program best suits your child’s personality and learning style.
If your child is a hands-on learner, then you may want to consider sending him to a Montessori preschool. In a Montessori preschool, a teacher is known as a “guide,” and the purpose of the program is to help a child understand his place in the world. The curriculum at a Montessori preschool can include everyday skills like tying shoes and putting on a coat, language skills such as tracing letters. Children at Montessori preschools are also exposed to music, art and history.
Waldorf-based preschool programs are ideal for children who thrive on routine. They are more group-oriented than Montessori programs and the goal of a Waldorf program is to nurture creativity through free play. Activities include painting, acting out plays, and singing.
The High/Scope program is best-suited for children who need one-on-one attention. It is similar to Montessori in the belief that children should have the space to pursue their own interests and goals. The High/Scope curriculum includes language, numbers, music and movement. Computers are also widely used in High/Scope preschool programs.
The Bank Street preschool programs are rooted in the ideal that children learn best in a free-form, group-centered educational setting. The focus in a Bank Street preschool is on allowing children to decide what toys they want to play with and how they want to play with them. This allows them to explore and learn at their own pace with puzzles, games, clay and art supplies.
