Early Childhood Education Program Review and Essay

Introduction

This paper will provide characteristics of early childhood education programs, which include Head Start, Montessori, High Scope, and Reggio Emilia programs. These characteristics were drawn from observing videos on YouTube. After providing information on the four programs, an essay of 500 words is provided of the program I prefer and the reason I have preferred it. For this paper, I prefer Montessori, and the reasons would be provided in the essay.

Head Start

After reviewing a video on the Head Start program, I have realized that Head Start programs make low-income children from birth to five years of age by supporting the children in their development. The program offers children with service models determined by the needs of the local community. Most of the Head Start programs are based in schools and educational centers. The program also helps with screening and aiding families to obtain the resources they need. It also provides services for infants as well as children with special needs. Finally, the program also boosts the help of families by providing education and involvement of children.

Reference

Head Start Approach to School Readiness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6SecdW4GNM

Montessori

This program centers on observing children from birth to adulthood. It equips children with socialization skills, and cognizance ability through initiating learning of the children. commercial papervideo, some of the noticeable characteristics of the Montessori Method include mixed-age classes to initiate better learning of children, there are Montessori materials designed to help the children learn, and children have the freedom to choose seating spaces. Additionally, repetition is not allowed but encouraged, which means that a child can continue working with one material as long as they desire to do so. Finally, the movement of children in a class is allowed as long as the movement aids in learning.

Reference

Montessori School Education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzmvtVAuuyI

High Scope

The main characteristics of High Scope focus on the active participation of children, regular routines, positive adult interactions, frequent assessments, and an optimal learning environment.

Reference

Getting to Know High Scope’s Preschool Curriculum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7YaobYTPgk

Reggio Emilia

Some of the noticeable characteristics of Reggio Emilia in a video I watched included children given freedom of construction their learning styles, promotion of communication, teachers act as nurtures, guides and partners and the children to explore their interests, enhanced collaboration of children and they learn through interactions and parents are key partners in education.

Reference

Education Counts Michiana – The Reggio Emilia Approach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYx_aGs-DjU

Essay

The Montessori Program

After watching videos and learned the characteristic of each of the childhood education programs, I would prefer my child to undergo through Montessori programs. The Montessori method of learning was developed by Dr. David  Montessori, and the method has been tested for many years and proved to be effective in helping and observing the children develop from birth to adulthood. The method has been used across many cultures across the world, and it has been effective in assisting the cognitive, physical, and emotional development of a child. Therefore, the approach values both human spirit and development. The program encourages mixed-age class, repetition of concepts, has materials that are used to help the children learn, children are given the freedom to choose their seating places as well as freedom of movement as long as the movement would promote learning in one way or another. The reason for selecting the Montessori Method of learning is because the system is highly individualized for every student, the system focuses on key developmental areas, availability of learning materials, and learning is child-centered.

Unlike in the other three methods of learning, in the Montessori method, learning is individualized. Students examine tasks and concepts at their own pace without being pressured by the teachers (Montessori, 2013). This skill helps children to try learning challenging concepts and areas, which in turn enhances their learning experiences. Children usually learn better when allowed to do so at their own pace instead of the same rate being inflicted for every child in the classroom.

Another reason why Montessori programs were preferred is that they focus on key developmental areas of the child, especially between the ages of three years to five. Whereas young children focus on having big muscles and developing language skills, four-year-old children work on fining their motor skills as well as accomplishing daily tasks like arts and crafts, and cooking (Montessori, 2013). The older preschoolers enough sharpen their learning experiences and knowing their communities through frequently visiting them and attending special events.

Additionally, Montessori programs are child-centered. The programs are designed to address the specific needs and abilities of each child individually by allowing them to explore and learn on their terms and pace (Montessori, 2013). Everything in the classroom is made available to the child, and seats are made to allow the children to sit comfortably. The method encourages mixed classroom ages with the aim of the older children to mentor the young ones. The Montessori materials are also arranged well and can also be available for use by the children in an aesthetically delectating environment.

The Montessori Method forces children to make mistakes so that they can learn from them. Freedom of interaction in classrooms also allows the children to build relationships with each other and develop excellent interpersonal skills. The method has many good characteristics that I feel I can incorporate in my classroom in the future.