Anonymous wrote:For many the choice is between academic or play based preschool. Definitely a difference there. Pick what seems like it would work best for you and your child.

"Academic" is a selling point for some preschools. We bought into it thinking it would do "something more" for our child because it came also with a high price tag. We regretted it and switched to a play-based program. It is not appropriate for little ones. Especially if staff is not trained in early childhood education, which was also the case.

For many the choice is between academic or play based preschool. Definitely a difference there. Pick what seems like it would work best for you and your child.

Read the "Importance of Being Little" by Erika Christakis, or anything by Allison Gopnik or Nancy Carlsson-Paige.

We loved our play-based preschool. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

This is a decent article that provides a decent overview as to why learning through play, with movement and experiential learning is a good thing in early childhood.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/05/why-young-kids-learn-through-movement/483408/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But what is the difference between a play-based preschool and a playgroup? I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid to a play-based preschool or keep him in a playgroup we like very much. It's much more expensive for us to do the preschool. He already plays with trains and costumes at his playgroup. What would an expensive play-based preschool do that's any different?

There would be classroom time mixed in for learning letters and numbers, science concepts, and other things. You're being a little thick about this ....

Anonymous wrote:As an education specialist, run don't walk from schools that tout themselves as "academic preschools."

Read up on what rigid academics and structure does when used at the preschool level.

++1 from personal experience (unfortunately)

As an education specialist, run don't walk from schools that tout themselves as "academic preschools."

Read up on what rigid academics and structure does when used at the preschool level.

Anonymous wrote:Don't fall into the false "play vs learning" bit. Play is a way to learn, or as NAEYC puts it, "Play is a child’s context for learning."

"Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks. Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem." (http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-every-parent-should-know-about-play)

Yes. Also, don't fall for "academic" preschool either. Always check staff background. What others said about play-based preschools, "your child can play at home"... Same goes for "academic" preschools, you can print out worksheets from Internet and give it to your child at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based means learning through play. It is especially important for younger kids, as that's how they learn best. Learning through playing dress-up or playing trains on the rug or train table - that kind of thing.

But what is the difference between a play-based preschool and a playgroup? I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid to a play-based preschool or keep him in a playgroup we like very much. It's much more expensive for us to do the preschool. He already plays with trains and costumes at his playgroup. What would an expensive play-based preschool do that's any different?

The difference is that you are not there. Your child is getting used to interacting cooperatively with other children in a class, sitting down together at circle time, taking turns with toys, taking direction from the teacher, etc. They get the benefits of free play while learning how to conduct themselves in a school environment and pay attention to a teacher. We did this for many years very happily at a small, inexpensive co-op preschool. There is no point in paying too much for this.

Have any of you ever been to a GOOD play-based preschool?

They do things like practice writing letters with shaving cream, build a dam when part of the playground floods and then float boats through the current, experiment with objects that sink or float etc. My daughter's preschool had someone come in from the White House staff to talk about presidential pets. They invite Native American Indians to the school where they talk about the culture and do a drumming show. They do lots of art projects that help children learn to use scissors and glue. They teach them how to walk in a line, how to listen to a teacher, how to zip their coats. They practice adding with groups of various objects.

It's not just a free for all.

Anonymous wrote:Jees, I can't believe the iota the parents on this thread who dismiss play without having ANY clue the role it plays in learning,

I can not believe the iota that parents give on this threat that kids do not thrive with structure and academics to get them ready for K.

Jees, I can't believe the iota the parents on this thread who dismiss play without having ANY clue the role it plays in learning,

Anonymous wrote:Don't fall into the false "play vs learning" bit. Play is a way to learn, or as NAEYC puts it, "Play is a child’s context for learning."

"Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks. Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem." (http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-every-parent-should-know-about-play)

That still explains nothing at all about how two teachers manage a class of 16 3 year olds, provide an environment to work on their gross and fine motor skills, ensure introduction to literacy skills, and, above all, a harmonious and positive social-emotional experience where kids feel secure as they grow into socializing with each other.

Don't fall into the false "play vs learning" bit. Play is a way to learn, or as NAEYC puts it, "Play is a child’s context for learning."

"Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks. Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem." (http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-every-parent-should-know-about-play)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to work at a play based preschool that adopted some of the following approaches to learning:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach

http://projectapproach.org/

As other posters have mentioned, children learn through play, there was a strong emphasis on having the children have a role in deciding the themes based on their interest and the teacher would adapt their curriculum from there. imaginative play, art, and outdoor/ hands-on science is big part a play based curriculum.

Isn't Reggio Emilia a separate educational philosophy?

It is, but a play-based school can draw on these philosophies to create a well rounded curriculum