(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kristin Krarup-Joyce, Ed. S. NCSP, Ellen Kent, Ed. S. NCSP and Emily Verbeke, Ed. S. NCSP for the information in this weekly column. If you have a question for one of the school psychologists, please email [email protected]. All information will be kept confidential.)
Although the school year is quickly winding down, this is also often the time of year when families with young children begin to think about preschool opportunities for the fall. What follows is adapted from a list of 10 indicators of quality preschools prepared by the National Association for the Education of Young Children:
1. Children are mainly active in the classroom; that is, playing and/or working with other children or materials.
2. Children have access to various hands-on materials and activities.
3. Children receive individual and small-group time with the teachers, and not solely large-group time.
4. Children’s work is displayed in the classroom.
5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet throughout the entire day; that is, their learning of these constructs is embedded into everyday activities.
6. Children are given at least an hour to play and explore with little worksheet use.
7. Children are provided a daily opportunity to play outside.
8. Children are read to by teachers, individually, and in small-groups.
9. Children receive adapted curriculum dependent upon their own individual needs.
10. Children and parents are excited about the preschool; that is, children are happy and do not regularly cry or complain.
