On the surface, it may seem like the earliest years of education simply help children adjust to life in the classroom and give them an opportunity to socialise. However, the Early Childhood programme you choose for your child does have a significant impact on their life. Many educational experts have concluded that the first five years of a child's life is one of the most pivotal times for development and can have a lasting impact on a child's transition into adulthood.
When it comes to preschool education, there are several teaching methods that educators can use to suit the learning styles of individual students. These include interactive learning, content-focused curriculum programmes and learner-centred teaching styles.
Every parent wants the best for their children but if you asked them what that would be, they’d probably struggle to find one answer. This article will help you to find out what that best can be. By understanding the preschool teaching methods, you can choose a preschool programme at one of the top schools in Singapore that suits your child best.
As you are researching preschools in Singapore, you will likely find that these are some of the most common preschool teaching methods:
● Montessori Method — The Montessori system is an educational system that was developed in the dawn of the 20th century by Italian educator Maria Montessori. It is rooted in an individualistic approach to education and is based on the fact that every child has creative potential and natural motivation to learn.
Montessori classrooms can be easily recognised by their engaging learning materials with students who demonstrate independent and enthusiastic attitudes. Various aspects of development - cognitive, social, physical and emotional are taken care of as the students blossom through their early childhood education.
● Reggio Emilia Approach — In this approach, children are considered curious and active learners who should be stimulated by their surroundings and encouraged to make discoveries at every opportunity. This approach requires educators to expose students to many different experiences and opportunities, particularly those that encourage self-expression and creativity.
It is based on four key principles, which are: emergent curriculum, in-depth projects, collaboration and representational growth. The teaching requires learning concepts to be represented in multiple forms like art, drama, music and so on. The teachers carefully track student growth as they also reflect on their own learning.
● Waldorf Steiner Method — The Waldorf Steiner Method was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by scholar Rudolph Steiner. It is a holistic approach to education in which students are taught traditional subjects in non-traditional ways. This educational approach is largely focused on hands-on learning opportunities and sensory-based experiences.
The curriculum is based on three development stages of children: early childhood, until age seven, when kids learn best through play and physical activity; ages 7-14, when children learn through feelings and imagination; and the final stage when they learn through thinking.
The Global Montessori Plus (GMP) programme at GIIS caters to the needs of our early learners. Our experienced educators have customised the Maria Montessori method into a programme that provides additional value through an age-appropriate curriculum filled with opportunities to play and learn. The programme is broken down into three age groups and caters to students aged 2.5 years upwards.
Our Montessori-trained teachers support learning through the child's formative years. The curriculum focuses on practical life, sensorial, language, maths and cultural studies, and multiple activities are used to motivate children throughout the entire programme.
It is based on our customised pedagogy of five pillars (as given below) and the innovative 9 GEMS educational framework that anchors the curriculum at every level. The preschool pedagogy consists of:
1. Excelerate Programme — Here the focus is laid on foundational skills, whether it is language, cognitive or numeracy skills.
2. Multifaceted Learning Experiences — This aspect of the curriculum focuses on providing students with learning experiences to help their overall development.
3. iCare — This is a values-based learning component that helps students become sensitive to real-world issues like global warming, waste management and more.
4. iPlay — An active part of the learning experiences, iPlay encourages social skills development while simultaneously helping students become more confident.
5. Future-Ready — The Future-Ready learning part of the pedagogy focuses on STEAM activities, hands-on experiments and technology-based assignments.
The Montessori Plus teaching method is a proven approach to early childhood education. It enables young learners to blossom as they understand more about themselves and the world around them. This foundation allows students to transition to formal schooling seamlessly and sets them up for long-term success.
Schedule a campus tour with us today for more information about the Early Childhood programme at GIIS.
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Physical activity should be an integral part of children’s daily lives. Sports activities provide them with an outlet — one in which they can connect with friends their own age and enjoy a common interest.
Physical activity should be an integral part of children’s daily lives. Sports activities provide them with an outlet — one in which they can connect with friends their own age and enjoy a common interest.
To give your child a solid foundation for future learning, consider the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).
To give your child a solid foundation for future learning, consider the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).
Your child is ready to enter those all-important middle school years, where they'll become more independent, more focused, and they can gradually take more responsibility for their learning.
Your child is ready to enter those all-important middle school years, where they'll become more independent, more focused, and they can gradually take more responsibility for their learning.
Student well-being is critical for a positive academic experience. Students who feel good about themselves and have good physical.
Student well-being is critical for a positive academic experience. Students who feel good about themselves and have good physical.
Looking for a preschool that’s the right fit for your child to enhance their learning journey? We understand that choosing one.
Looking for a preschool that’s the right fit for your child to enhance their learning journey? We understand that choosing one.
Did you know your child’s school can fast track your child’s formal education by giving them a powerful head start right after kindergarten? The accelerated learning,
Did you know your child’s school can fast track your child’s formal education by giving them a powerful head start right after kindergarten? The accelerated learning,
Ms Rajiv has been an Early Childhood educator and practitioner for the past 15 years at GIIS. She heads the Global Montessori Plus (GMP) Programme, supporting kindergarten students in their learning and holistic development to maximise the potential of every student. She has been instrumental in implementing developmentally age-appropriate curriculum that provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning. She is well-respected due to her rich experience in the field and passion for working with preschoolers, helping establish a good rapport with the parent community.