A child’s education begins with pre-school, and this is a critical aspect because it sets the foundation for future learning. Some parents regard pre-school as a safe place to leave their young child while they are at work, but it is far more than that. You should bear this in mind when looking for a suitable early learning program, and in this short article, we offer useful information to help make the right choice when it comes to choosing a pre-school.
Developing social skills
When you enrol your child in a Greystanes preschool, for example, the focus is on developing essential social skills, such as classroom etiquette, manners and respecting others’ property, to name but a few. This is critical to help the child when they do move into regular school, and the daycare staff role models these skills.
Preparing for academic learning
One of the roles of pre-school is to prepare students for academic learning, which involves learning how to hold pencils and beginning with the alphabet. Routines need to be introduced gently to help the children understand how to focus for short periods, and over a period of a couple of years, the children are ready to enter regular school. Here are 7 ways a school can support the whole child.
Developing creativity and imagination
Both creativity and imagination must be encouraged during the first 7 years, which are known as the formative years, and this should be a prime directive for all pre-schools.
How do you achieve this?
By introducing storytelling and using art to help children express themselves, which can be combined with dance and movement. During storytelling, the teacher would halt at specific points and ask the children what they think might happen next. This allows the young minds to explore various possibilities, and when they have ideas, the teacher helps them to explore these thought patterns further. There are no right or wrong answers with this type of activity, and the kids are actively encouraged to think outside the box.
Choosing the right pre-school
Start with an online search to bring up a list of local pre-schools and nurseries, then browse the websites, taking note of the school’s vision and mission statements, which are an indication of their goals and aspirations. Book a tour with the ones you feel might be suitable and prepare a few questions for the principal. Ask if you can sit in on a classroom activity and observe how the kids engage with the teacher; you should see happy kids that have a degree of freedom, and a wide range of fun-based activities should be on the menu.
Once you have made your decision, ask if you can bring your child along for an informal visit a few days before their start date, and this will help them relax. Also, check that the school is registered with the local government, which you can easily do online.
Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.