Is it worth paying for alternative preschool education systems

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

What you need to know if a regular kindergarten does not inspire confidence.

There are three alternative preschool education systems in Russia: Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf. They study them in private kindergartens, most often in large cities. The goal is to ensure the comprehensive development of the child.

In each kindergarten, educators are confident that their approach is the most thoughtful. However, no one has yet succeeded in creating an ideal system.

Maria Montessori system

This educational technique was developed by the Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori at the beginning of the 20th century. At first it was used among children with disabilities, but later it was adapted for healthy ones. Montessori classes can be found in many countries, including Russia.

Distinctive features of the preschool education system

1. The system is based on the principle "help me to do it myself". This means that the teacher should not teach the child, but help him to do on his own what he is interested in.
2. Montessori developed special items and materials for classes. They help to support the second principle of the system - “learning by discovery”, when the child develops himself by playing independently. At the same time, the principle of self-correction is laid down in most materials: the child sees and corrects his mistakes himself, and does not wait for an adult.
3. Great attention is paid to the surrounding space. Everything should be functional, beautiful, accessible for a child and made of natural materials.
4. The classroom space is divided into thematic zones: real life zone, sensory development zone, mathematical, language and space zones. Each is equipped with Montessori materials created especially for it.
5. Children work wherever it is convenient for them. They can sit on individual rugs or at tables.
6. The classes are attended by children of different ages. This is done so that they do not compete, but help each other and pass on experience.

Disadvantages of the preschool education system

1. The teacher in the Montessori system is not considered the main one, and the children do what they want. It is believed that children in such classes find it difficult to adapt to the discipline in a regular school.
2. Montessori classes do not focus on the development of imagination and creativity. They don't play here, they don't read fairy tales, they don't draw or sing. Instead, children develop certain skills related, for example, to counting, motor skills, language.
3. Children study the materials individually, occasionally requiring the help of a teacher. Because of this, the child may lag behind in social development, not be able to communicate with other children.
4. There are no reporting systems, development indicators, tests.

Rudolf Steiner System (Waldorf)

The technique was developed by the Austrian philosopher, educator and mystic Rudolf Steiner. The first school was opened in 1919. The children of workers of the Waldorf Astoria tobacco factory studied there. Hence the second name of the system.

Today's Steiner schools and kindergartens are certified institutions recognized by the International Forum of Waldorf-Steiner Schools (The Hague Circle), the Pedagogical Section of the Goetheanum Free School of Humanities and Friends of Waldorf Education.

Distinctive features of the preschool education system

1. The cornerstone of Waldorf education is anthroposophy. This is a religious and mystical teaching developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1912. Basic provisions: the hypothesis of the trinity of man (Spirit, Soul and Body), his four essences (physical body, etheric body, astral body, I) and the doctrine of temperaments (melancholic, phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine).
2. The Waldorf system is interested in the development of harmonious children. Each child is a person and must grow in accordance with their abilities and inclinations.
3. Eurythmy dance is taught here. Children move freely to the music, while singing or reciting poetry.
4. Great attention is paid to manual labor and the development of imagination. Children learn to embroider, knit, paint, sculpt, work on a potter's wheel, sometimes on a loom.
5. One group contains children from three and a half to seven years old. Thus, the younger ones learn basic skills faster, and the older ones pass on experience.
6. Holidays are often celebrated on a large scale in the Waldorf kindergarten. Birthdays are especially appreciated.
7. As in an ordinary garden, the day in the Waldorf garden is scheduled by the minute.

Disadvantages of the preschool education system

1. The Waldorf system has deep occult and religious roots, which is why some consider it sectarian.
2. Children are hardly prepared to enter regular school. They do not study reading, writing, mathematics with them.
3. All toys are made by hand from natural materials: wood, fabrics, threads. Ordinary dolls, cars and constructors are not used and are prohibited. Even at home.
4. For the first few months, the child goes through an adaptation period. At this time, he is obliged to come to classes with an accompanying person - mom, dad or someone else.
5. No reporting systems, development indicators. You can assess the progress of a child's development only by looking at his crafts.

Reggio Emilia system

This system was invented in the city of the same name in northern Italy in the 1940s. After World War II, kindergartens were opened here, in which preschoolers were brought up according to the method developed by the teacher Loris Malaguzzi. He relied on the ideas of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Maria Montessori. Reggio pedagogy remains popular in many countries.

Distinctive features of the preschool education system

1. Malaguzzi believed that the child is endowed with hundreds of "languages" that help him express himself. The adult's task is to help the kid master speech and teach him to use symbolic languages of self-expression: painting, sculpture, theatrical art.
2. Malaguzzi wanted to educate a person in conditions of democracy and social justice. Therefore, according to Reggio pedagogy, the child should feel like a part of the team and participate in everything on an equal basis with adults. A child is worthy of respect just like any other person.
3. As in the Montessori system, great attention is paid to the equipment of the space, especially the creative workshop. A variety of materials are used for creativity, including natural ones: paints, pencils, crayons, paper, toothpicks, buttons, shells, twigs, pebbles.
4. In the classroom, each child is engaged in his own project on any topic. Work on it can last as long as you like, the main thing is the process.
5. The walls of the Reggio Gardens are decorated with children's works, photographs and notes. These are the so-called "talking walls". They help to keep everyone informed about current projects, ideas, children's development.
6. “Piazza” (Italian - “square”) is a space in kindergarten where children and adults discuss their ideas. The “quiet room” is a place where you can relax. Sleeping in Reggio Garden is optional.

Disadvantages of the preschool education system

1. As in the Montessori system, the Reggio teacher is not considered the main one in the class. He only observes and rules, you can even argue with him. It is believed that children in such classes find it difficult to adjust to the discipline in a regular school.
2. No reporting systems, development indicators, tests. Children just do what they want, the results are reflected in all kinds of crafts.

Should I send my child to an alternative kindergarten

If public kindergartens do not inspire confidence in you and you have enough money to pay for private lessons, then why not. But before choosing an institution, get to know the teachers and attend an open class. This will help you understand how this or that educational system suits you.

However, no one promises that the child will leave the alternative kindergarten with a healthy psyche and prepared for school. This always remains on the conscience of the parents. Any educational system has flaws, and scandals worthy of the press can happen in paid institutions.