It’s all fun and games until the phrase ‘They grow up so fast’ hits you and you do not know which education you want your child to grow up with. It is always hectic finding that curriculum that suits your child’s needs and accommodates the emerging changes in the education systems. There is a lot to consider when looking for a school for your child. This includes location, cost and schedule. These aside, the most important is the curriculum. In this article, we have compiled different curriculums that are good for early childhood.
MONTESSORI
The Montessori curriculum uses a developmental approach to learning. It is a system of education for young children who seek to develop natural interests and activities rather than use formal teaching methods by allowing the child to work on a skill at her own pace to mastery. Teachers guide the students through their assigned work. Learning is hands-on with a focus on social and practical life skills. Classrooms are multi-age, with a focus on building a community of learners that support each other. It emphasizes independence by providing a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment.
REGGIO EMILIA
The approach is both child-centered and directed, taking the philosophy that learning must make sense to the student in order to be effective and meaningful. This curriculum is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration, discovery and play. A child’s point of view is completely respected and the student is encouraged to follow their own educational path. It is the curiosity and potential the children naturally have that should ultimately set the path and the direction that any and all learning will follow.
Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)
The CBC curriculum sets to prepare individuals for the challenges of the future by empowering the students with knowledge and skills in various fields of study in a flexible educational program tailored to each student. The CBC is designed to emphasize the significance of developing skills and knowledge and also applying those competencies to real life situations. In this educational model, students receive timely and differentiated support according to their individual learning needs.
Early years foundation stage (British Curriculum)
The early years’ foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. The children will mostly be taught through games and play and will learn communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design. The child’s progress will be reviewed when they’re between 2 and 3 by an early year’s practitioner or health visitor and when they turn 5 their class teacher will assess them at the end of the school year. The assessment is based on classroom observation – your child won’t be tested. It uses the early learning goals.
Many programs may not prescribe to one specific approach, or they may offer “reggio emilia-inspired” curriculum. Whichever curriculum you choose, the one thing that should be included in any preschool you choose is lots of opportunity for social skill development for your child. Preschool is your child’s first real chance to become a contributing member of a community, and the emotional and social development that will follow are the building blocks for future academic and social success. Choose wisely.