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Cooperative Preschools
A Parent-participation Learning Experience
By Sharon Waldrop
Jennifer liked the fact that she was able to get to know the other children and see what they really did at school, how her daughter acted at school and how she interacted with the other children.
"The most positive experience for me was being able to be there with my son and get to see how he fit in with the other children academically and socially," says Barb.
"I love being closely involved with the school community, participating in the activities first-hand and having some control over how the program evolves," says Tammy.
"Playtime IS learning time for a preschooler," says Jennifer. "The whole day was learning time with an 'exploration' based curriculum. Kids learn by doing, touching and interacting with each other and their environment." Jennifer says that her daughter's classroom had various areas with different themes. There was a kitchen center as well as centers for music, building, books, computers and art. There was a gym for large-muscle activities. Circle time was used for songs, stories and conversation.
"One of my concerns when picking a preschool was the amount of play/learning time," says Barb. "I am not one of those parents who thinks my kids need to enter school reciting the preamble to the constitution and knowing their times tables by heart." The preschool that Barb chose divided playtime with learning time equally with free time in the classroom and structured time in the gym.
Sharon's school offers two or three activity "stations" along with the option of free play with toys. "Children are encouraged to participate in each of the activities for a time, but NOT required," says Sharon. "A lot of consideration is given to different personalities of children and their play/activity preferences." If a child is playing happily and sharing well with toys during open choice time, they are not interrupted and asked to do something else.
Want to see more?
- Join the discussions at the Preschool Readiness Discussion Board
- Preschool Prep Series: How to Hit the Ground Running
- Preschool Prep Series: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
- Preschool Prep Series: The Montessori Method
- Preschool Prep Series: The Waldorf Method
- Join the discussions at the Preparing For Preschool Discussion Board
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