Play-Based vs. Structured Preschools
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Play-Based vs. Structured Preschools
Jan 2012
We are looking at choosing between two preschools
which are very different programs. We like both mainly for 1)
indoor/outdoor facility 2) proximity to our house(walking distance). We
are drawn to School A for the curriculum but are a little
concerned about how our very active and talkative daughter will do in
their relatively subdued environment. At the same time, we are concerned
that play-based programs like School B will not offer her enough
''intellectual'' stimulation to be able to foster her knack for learning
(at 2 1/2 she reads all the letters of the written alphabet and written
numbers to 10, etc). Is there a school with a happy medium? It seems like
the schools that have an ''emergent'' curriculum maintain some of that
balance but I'm not sure that School B has that kind of focus even.
Proximity (walking/biking distance) is vey important to us as both of us
bike to work but should we be looking farther afield to find a school
with this balance?
Seeking a good fit
I can't comment on either of those schools, but can chime in on the play
vs. academic topic. My son was reading at 2 years 3 months, full words
and sentences with comprehension. We sent him to a play-based preschool
with some structure (circle time, lots of art projects, a bit of cooking,
etc.) They didn't do anything formally academic, but probably sneaked in
some stuff that corresponded with their kindergarten ''readiness''
assessment. That was a little worksheet where they had to be able to
draw shapes with lines that met, listen to directions, etc. Very similar
to what our private school asked them to do at their assessment when we
applied that year.
My son did great in this less-academic setting. He had so much fun
playing and that's what I think preschool is for. He was never bored and
always wanted to stay for their extended hours (it was a traditional
morning only preschool but offered afternoon hours that were even less
structured--nap/rest and play, basically.) He got lots of social time
which is what he needed--he was advanced academically but socially
behind.
My son was a fall birthday so ended up repeating his 2nd year of
preschool, at the same school, same teachers but different kids. He
loved it the second time around just as much.
Our school was Broadway Children's School in Oakland. It is not anywhere
near full-time so it may not work for you. However, I think you can find
a play-based preschool that will still give your child a rounded
experience.
Play is good for kids
April 2004
I'm curious about how wide the range is of types of preschool
whe it comes to free play vs. structured activities (circle
time, games, field trips and the like.) The school we are
thinking about is, we've been told, about 75% free play and 25%
activities. Where is that in the spectrum of schools? Does that
much free play time ever get overwhelming for kids? Is the
alternative a more academic preschool? Just curious.
Katie
It has been many years since my children were in preschool (my oldest
is about to graduate from high school this year), but as an elementary
school teacher I purposefully chose the most play-based program I
could find. My kids spent their preschool years digging in the sand,
swinging on rope swings, structuring their time as they chose,
participating as much or as little as they wanted in structured
activities. I
have never regretted that decision. Children have so little time to be
children, and the work of children looks like play to us, but is
critical to
their cognitive development. Once a child begins kindergarten,
especially now in the age of high stakes testing, there is little time
for
play. Why begin that process sooner than is necessary? If you want to
introduce structure and formalized learning for your preschooler,
enroll
him/her in a class at Lawrence Hall of Science, or MOCHA, or the
Richmond Art Center, or Kindergym, or something of that ilk. Both of
my
kids are at the top of their class academically, are GATE students,
learned to read before first grade, and rarely participated in ''circle
time'',
or any other structured activity during preschool. They were too busy
playing, which was fine with me!
An advocate for unhurried children
July 2003
We are thrilled to have our child enrolled for the fall in a
play-based preschool. But, I just found out that they don't
provide any instruction for academics (I had thought they
provided a little).
My child is already writing her name correctly and clearly on
her own. I have not been pushing her, but instead spent 2 weeks
showing her the letters in her name and how to write them. She
blew my mind by spelling and writing her name out when I was in
another room.
We read our kids lots of books, and she now seems to be showing
an interest in reading and learning how to write. We do fun
preschool books together where she gets to cut, paste, trace,
and write numbers. Is this enough? What else can I do to fill
in the gaps academically for what she will not be learning in
preschool. I'm not pushing her -- my child is drawn towards
this and I'm responding to her.
thanks
Your child's preschool sounds wonderful. I really don't like to see the
words academic and preschool together. My son will be 4 at the end of
August. He knows how to read many words, has recognized his
alphabet and most numbers since before age 2, and in our opinion is a
very bright little guy. I would not put him in an academic preschool. He
currently attends a wonderful parent co-op, The Creative Play Center in
Pleasant Hill and he loves it.
There is no concrete evidence that academic preschools, are in the long
run , better for children. There is however, numerous research in favor of
developmentally appropriate, play based preschools.
I was a teacher and preschool director for many years and I can assure
you that most of what kids learn is obtained from home and parents. My
goal is to have my children be life long learners. In my opinion, play
based, developmentally appropriate preschool is the best possible
place to foster this. For more information do a web search and check out
the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
They have a wonderful publication entitled Developmentally
Appropriate Practices for Children from Birth to Age 8, that I highly
encourage you to read. There are several preschool that are accredited
by NAEYC, this is always a sign of a great preschool. Good Luck! Hope
this helps!
Teresa
I reluctantly enrolled my daughter in to a pre-school that was
totally un-academic, after moving here from Florida and having
my 4 year old already starting to read! after 6 months at Daisy
Child Development Center, I am surprisingly pleased. After all,
how much time are we really given in life to play? Children are
children for such a short time. Kindergarten through high
school is their time to enter into academia....not pre-school.
Take it from a reluctant mom, who feel academics are very
important...............let our children play while they can,
afterall, playing is an avenue for learning as well, we want our
children to learn how to play nice, too, don't we???
Mama Sola
I have two children--one went to a more ''academic'' preschool and the
other is currently attending a play-based preschool. At first I worried
about the ''quality'' of the experience my second child would be getting
and whether we were ''cheating'' her of the excellent preschool
experience her brother had. I was working then and could afford the
best preschool available, but now I'm staying at home full-time and can
only justify the cost of a cooperative preschool. After a year at a
cooperative play-based preschool I am a convert! I realize my first child
is the one who missed out on a ''quality'' experience. THE most
important thing your child should learn in preschool is how to play
creatively with other children. This forms the basis for developing good
learning habits and good relationships with other people. A couple of
children in our school are like your child--very advanced academically.
Yet those children still need to develop the skills of communicating with
other children and being creative in their environment. You can
continue to provide the academics at home--no teacher at a play-based
program will frown on allowing preschoolers to learn their numbers or to
start reading--it just is not the focus of the learning environment at the
school. I suggest you stick with the play-based preschool and stop
fretting. You have made a wise choice for your child that will serve her
well in her future academic studies.
Maria
Personally, I don't think academics should be ''taught'' in pre-
school. Developmentally, kids still benefit from - NEED -
lots of playing, exploring, pretending, trying things they
think up themselves, etc. There will be more than enough time
for formal academics later. If she is interested in letters,
there are plenty of opportunities to learn them during play
(alphabet puzzles, writing her name on her artwork, looking at
the books that will undoubtedly be available to her at school,
etc.). Basic math can be explored using toys, counting songs,
counting and sorting objects, etc. There is really so much
kids can learn that is not specifically academic in nature, but
is still vital to their development. Not to mention the social
side of pre-school, which can take a lot of a child's energy!
I say - continue to be thrilled that your child will spend time
playing, and if you feel you must, provide opportunities for
more academic-type stuff at home (always optional - don't turn
her off by making it a chore!).
R.K.
Congratulations on your bright child! You can find out what the
preschool provides and then try to supplement at home with other
things your child needs. The Usborne books are very good--
inexpensive, brightly colored books for early learners and
onward. Continue reading to her and allowing her to write.
Encourage her to do what she wants, and don't stop just because
others claim you are ''pushing her''. People often don't realize
that bright children NEED stimulation and challenge, and if you
don't provide it, they will become unhappy, bored, and may start
acting out.
I'm afraid to say that most schools will probably never meet her
needs, so you will probably spend a lot of time supplementing or
may end up homeschooling. You're in for a lot of work!
Just don't ever let others convince you to stifle your child...
watch out for those who say, ''Let her be a child,'' or ''Why are
you pushing her?''
It sounds like you know in your heart what to do. You are NOT
pushing her. There are some good email lists on the web for
parents of gifted children, where you can find support and
excellent suggestions from other parents who are in the same
situation. Try http://hoagiesgifted.org for a good start.
Good luck!
long-suffering parent
Your daughter sounds like she is really ready to learn. And, it
sounds like she is learning lots at home. You don't say her
age, so it is difficult to give a specific response. In
general, however, I'd say to allow your child as much time to
play as you possibly can. We turn our children into ''little
school children'' far too early, IMHO. The whole essence of
childhood is to enjoy life through play, wonder and
exploration. If you want a school that offers more academics,
why not put her there? In the meantime, since she is doing so
much learning at home with you, why not let her enjoy her
preschool, playing with other children, and continue her
learning at home She sounds exceptionally bright. I'd say
she'll be learning everywhere she goes. There's lots of time
for her to get more academic, but not much to be full of wonder
and fun and play.
Ilene
Since you are motivated as parents to work with your daughter in
reading and writing, and since she is a self-motivated academic
learner, I think that a play- based preschool program is perfect
for her. The ''peer'' social skill base that she'll get there is
something that you cannot provide, so let her preschool
environment do what they do best.
Letitia
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