 | ||
|
| |    The Role of Preschool by Dr. Benjamin Spock reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. When the American preschool concept developed about 100 years ago, the idea was to give children of three and four years a variety of valuable experiences to help them grow in all respects and make them more sensitive, capable, and creative people. Preschool has always been about more than just the care of children of working mothers and preparing children for the three R's of elementary school. A good preschool will introduce children to a wealth of learning experiences, such as dancing and making rhythmic music with simple instruments, painting, sculpting with modeling clay, building castles and fire stations and great towers with blocks, playing vigorously outdoors, and playing house, which is really playing family. Ideally, there are quiet corners for individual play and for those times when a child feels the need to rest. Among the most important learning experiences are the interactions preschool children have with their teachers. Teachers who have a deep understanding of young children and who respond in a kind, calm, and firm way teach children to value themselves and others, and to exercise self-control. Preschool teachers also help children learn about reading, writing, and counting in ways that are developmentally appropriate and meaningful. For example, they might help the children count the crackers at snack time, or make a sign telling when the fish need feeding. There is no place for lectures, drills, or worksheets in a high-quality preschool! The teachers also do a lot of reading aloud, which is one of the most beneficial things parents can do, as well. The aim of preschool is to nurture a broad variety of capabilities--academic, social, artistic, musical, and muscular. The emphasis is on initiative, independence, cooperation (discussing and sharing play equipment instead of fighting over it), and on incorporating the child's own ideas into play. The articles that follow describe many of the aspects of excellent preschools, such as how the teachers arrange the space, plan the curriculum, and interact with the children and each other. We'll also cover how parents can select a preschool wisely, help your child adjust to the school experience, and work with the staff to obtain the very best early education for your child.
| |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
