Great Preschool Programs
I recently visited the Coast Episcopal School in Pass Christian, Mississippi. I was amazed at the preschool program that they provide for 3-5 year-old children. Several benefactors had donated money and helped build an amazing little preschool building. The playground was huge with vegetable gardens (planted by the children) and many engaging equipment experiences. But, the most impressive thing was how developmentally appropriate and wonderful the entire program was organized. The teachers were providing a nurturing, skill-based and hands-on program. It was a joy to watch. I was overcome with the feeling that all preschool children deserve this type of support prior to entering kindergarten. Everyone in early childhood should strive to see this happen. The children at Coast Episcopal School Preschool were full of joy and learning. What a wonderful world!
posted by John Funk @ Permalink10:37 PM
6 Comments:
I agree that all children should be given an opportunity to learn in a comfortable environment, like the preschool you mentioned. What a great start for these young children- to have teachers and the resources needed to create a positive learning environment. I like the idea of having a garden on the preschool grounds that the kids planted. I thought that was a very fun idea and a great teaching lesson. Sound like an amazing preschool. -Amelia Hanseen (Tuesday night class)
I just started work for a small faith-based preschool. It is a very new program, this is only the second year.
I want to provide the developmentally appropriate education that you speak of, but i do not know how to get the others on board.
Having been raised in a small town on the Texas Gulf Coast, my sister and I were allowed what seems now to be an unbelievable freedom.
Those memories include acreage to roam along Galveston Bay and the, to us, normal business of growing plants to sell.
Children need room and rules. The play space / garden provides a lot of that. I'd only hope for a natural area to be included.
Tina, often it takes the example of blooming where you are planted to get others convinced. That is, doing what you can within the scope of your position. And loaning books, tapes and pointing up what your little charges are experiencing.
If you want to overcome the active toy / passive child complex, you're in for the long haul. But, it's worth it.
Go by my sister's (and my) blog, at www.sarah-hester.com, to see how we approach it.
Thanks, Mr. Funk for bringing up this topic so near to my heart.
After doing my preschool observation, and seeing how average the children's experience was, it definitely made me consider eventually looking into early childhood education. If anything, I'd like to be an advocate for developmentally appropriate preschool education. I'm amazed how easy it is for people to forget how they felt as a child...and therefore, teach in a way that doesn't make any developmental sense.
It's great to hear that there are groups of people creating TERRIFIC, appropriate learning environments for preschool children. -Ashlee Ekins (Tuesday night class)
I was glad to read your post that it told an example of warm environment of education.
Doing volunteer work here, I found american classroom has more space for each student. Surely, the conditions of classrooms would be vary. The problem is that more than half of the schools have inferior conditions. In my country, most of the public schools have so many students per one teacher. Those are just too crowded!!
Like you said, I hope every school in the world would be much better than now, including warm and safe places for kid.
Hyesung Jeon TL 2330-1
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I really appreciate your efforts of writing such an amazing write up. Preschool is the first step for a child to get into the world. It will nurture their growth and development. The most important factor that affects them is the environment of the school and the staff members. My cousin is studying in a Christian Preschool Winnipeg i.e. Springs Christian Academy and this school is amazing providing best education along will every facility.
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