subject: Assessing The Classroom Of A Pre School For Your Child [print this page] What is your idea of the ideal classroom? Different individuals may have different opinions in this regard. However, one thing that the majority of individuals would agree to is that a classroom should boost interest for learning in children. If you are considering enrolling your child in a pre school, make sure you visit the classroom, at least once.
When you are inside the classroom of a pre school, pay attention to the following things:
Environment: Is the classroom environment conducive to learning? Different pre schools may have different approaches to learning, but one thing that needs to be there is the sense of harmony and respect. If the classroom environment does not feel right to you, it may not be a good choice for your child.
Arrangement: Is the space free from clutter? Whether it is the placement of the furniture or the arrangement of study materials, the space should give a sense of freedom, and not that of restraint. A restrictive arrangement inside a classroom would hinder the growth and development of your child in the formative years.
Students: Do the students look occupied and content? Whether the setup is student-centric, like that in a Montessori school, or teacher-centric, like that in a conventional school, if the students seem happy, it is a good place. If possible, talk to the children to find out more about the happenings in the classroom.
Teacher: Does the teacher have a competent and caring attitude? The teaching and non-teaching staff members inside the classroom are the first adults that a child would interact with apart from his/her parents. Focus on the way the teacher motivates, inspires and guides the children in learning things, understanding concepts and overcoming challenges.
Materials: Are the study and play materials in the classroom appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children? Pre schools stress on interweaving studies and play, and the right materials ensure this. Whether it is blocks for learning alphabets or rings for practising counting, the study materials need to be interesting and attention-grabbing.
Activities: Does the classroom offer learning opportunities for every child? Most often, pre schools incorporate age-appropriate activities in their curriculum. The aim is to initiate learning through play. Whether it is individual activities or group activities, try to assess their merit to provide learning and enjoyment for the children.
Communication: Are the children communicative without being noisy? Pre School is where your child first interacts with adults and children apart from their family members. Pay attention to the way the children interact with their teachers and their classmates. This would give you an idea about the respect and courtesy they learn at school.
You may talk to the parents of other children to understand the way the centre operates, whether it is a nursery or a playgroup. If they are happy about the way their children are growing up, it may be a good place for your child as well. You may also talk to the teachers and other staff to understand their approach to learning.
