Pre-Schooling the Right Way

Over the last 10 years, the face of education has changed dramatically. Talking about early childhood education, it is an investment for a community. Research studies by different universities show that early learning has a lasting and positive effect on the child.

Educators across United States are working hard to equip children with all the skills that would guide them to success in the 21^st century world. Williamsburg Northside Preschool, in addition to inculcating within their students the flexibility to readily adopt to changing technologies, also fosters student-centered learning. The belief is to stimulate the learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, communication, global awareness and social responsibility.

Good intentions are not good enough when it comes to implementing the right education program. Fortunately, Williamsburg Northside has maintained uniformity in their education programs that they provide across their daycare, preschool and lower schools. Still, they are always working on the ideas to improve their study programs. For the matter of fact, Williamsburg Northside Preschool program has showed gains in cognitive abilities, and social skills among their students.

Student centered learning is an important element of Williamsburg Northside preschool program. Rather than calling out one student at a time, educators here allow students to discuss class assignments in groups which maximizes their participation. During the class, students work just as hard as educators, in fact, this way educator’s role becomes that of a facilitator. This teaching practice promotes team building, leading to higher achievements.

Have you ever heard educators teaching multiple subject simultaneously, like math, science, social studies with reading or writing-all in one project? At Williamsburg Northside, the focus is not limited to the subject-based learning. The approach behind simultaneous learning is to help students go much deeper in learning concepts and skills. It includes –

Project-based learning – students working on a project that ends up with a concrete result of some kind.

Problem-based learning – educators guide students in developing solutions to real-world problems.

Inquiry-based learning – students generate their own questions matching their curiosities or interests, which as a part of their learning, they investigate.

The educators should not simply tell students what they should know, instead they should engage students in exploring and uncovering the information in a more meaningful way. In a way, in which all the subjects come into play together.