Preschool

Characteristics of Preschoolers

Children usually come to preschool already brimming with the qualities that educators seek to have engendered by the time they graduate high school at age 18. Often preschoolers are excited about coming to school, even if some undergo a few days of tearful separation; they willingly learn with and from others; they are adventuresome in their explorations; they love to learn. To be fair, that is not true of every preschooler and not true of any preschooler in all situations. But by simply entering a classroom of 3-, 4-, or 5-year-olds and watching them busily exploring and learning, one can see that this is the norm. Most preschoolers think they're smart; they're proud of their talents; they willingly take risks to learn. Often, though, that begins to change when students enter “real” school in first grade. Why is this?

Preschools are designed to tap into and capitalize on students' strengths and interests. Preschool teachers focus on skills and understandings that are important and necessary, and their curriculum is rich and developmental. This is often in contrast with how education is approached beginning in first grade. As a result, too often “real school” means an exclusionary focus on skills and a narrow pathway for learning.

Managing Diversity of Talents

All children have a range of intelligences and interests. One way of managing this diversity of talents is to frame curriculum and instruction around Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (first described in his book Frames of Mind). Believing in multiple intelligences means understanding and accepting that children have strengths in many different areas. In preschool, the goal is not to create a hierarchy of learners or to identify what a student cannot do. Rather, when children are young, the focus is on their interests and talents; educators want them to make choices and use their burgeoning skills to learn and to solve problems, and ensure that they engage in joyful learning.

Learning How to Learn

On a practical basis, this means that teachers are going to challenge students by giving them a variety of ways to learn. At some times, all students will learn in the same way. In fact, learning how to learn while sitting and listening is an important skill and one that can be difficult for some children. Because that approach portends much for a child's future education, it is essential that a child learn how to do so. Likewise, it is important that children learn how to be good group members, and that means that they need to know how to be both leaders and followers. Though some children easily play one role, oftentimes it is difficult for a child to be able to do both. Promoting “active listening” and “being a good team member” are part of the routine of any good preschool teacher.

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