Methodology
Methodology /Knowledge Concept Followed by the School
Gone are the days when a playschool was a waiting room for children not yet age-eligible for regular school admissions. Extensive research and the resulting astonishing findings in the field of early education have shown how crucial the years between 3 and 6 years are for shaping the neurological structure of the brain. This not only makes the choice of a competent preschool critical, but also increases the significance of the preschool curriculum.
If preschool is your child's first point of independent contact with adults and children outside her familiar circle of family and friends, it is also a rite of passage for Mum and Dad letting go their baby for the first time ever. Given this, it is not surprising that parents are more concerned with establishing a comfort level with instructors and caregivers in the preschool, than with delving into the intricacies of the teaching methodology followed.
But teaching methodology or curriculum is seriously important even in a playschool. We at Kinderspiel, practice playway method which is a more spontaneous one and demands creativity from both the teacher and the child. We lay greater emphasis on physical activities such as role-play, music and movement, art and crafts, stories,rhymes,indoor as well as outdoor games.
At the age of 2 to 3 years, children are still learning how to communicate and playing becomes their preferred medium of expression. But this can happen only if play is capitalized in a proper manner making it purposeful and directed.
Once again, it comes down to the importance of trained instructors who have clearly understood the purpose of the method and are competent enough to translate it to the student. The Nursery Teacher's Training programmes offered by most institutes in India are generally based on the Playway method. This methodology is gaining in popularity with many pre-schools in the country who have used it entirely by itself or in combination with other systems.
Keep Motivation Intrinsil
Young children are generally motivated to learn about everything useless they have been made fun of regularly, when investigating or presenting their knowledge they usually have a strong desire to find out and share information.
One of the best teaching by modeling enthusiasm and curiosity motivation comes from within (intrinsic) and from outside (extrinsic). Making too much fuss of any one child can result in a competitive olilude in the class. Model curiosity and asking questions about to topic studied.
Reinforce thinking process rather than praising the child. Try, “That in an interesting way that you sorted your blocks. Tell me what you were thing”. Then, “Sarah sorted her blocks in a different way. Both ways of the sorting are interesting.
Supply the students with description words as they are playing or working e.g. “Notice how dull those rocks are. The other ones are shiny”. This extends then vocabulary and increases their ability to share new discoveries.
Be Sensitive to Children’s Needs
One thing a learned early in my teaching career in that learning doesn’t happen of a worried. Learning to be flexible and understanding with young children in skill that will serve you will in your educational career. At times, children need to get away from every one and be left alone.
Summery
Maintain a classroom atmosphere of warmth and acceptance for some kindergarten children. Your classroom will be one of the few places where their opinions and ideas have been heard and valued.