Parenthood is one of the most life-changing and rewarding experiences one can have. But like most things in life, it comes with unique challenges, such as lifestyle changes, new family dynamics or simple lack of confidence in making the right choices for a child.
At MindChamps, we differentiate ourselves through our expertise in early childhood education. Featured in our blog are a variety of insights that can help prepare your child to thrive in an ever-changing world. Today, however, we wanted to share a few important things to know about preschool kindergarten classes.
What is Kindergarten?
Coined by the German pedagogue, Friedrich Fröbel, kindergarten (Kinder to mean children, garten to mean garden) is an educational program in which children aged 5 to 6—in some countries as early as 3—develop essential skills through play-based learning. From building confidence to learning social skills, literacy and numeracy, it equips children with the skills they’ll need to tackle the more structured environment of primary school.
Daily Activities in Preschool Kindergarten Classes
Age 5 and 6 are important developmental milestones for children. It is at this age that they start to think about the future; want to be liked and show more independence from parents and family.
The type of activities conducted in a kindergarten class vary between centers depending on teaching approach. Regardless of the institution, preschool kindergarten classes should engage a child’s curiosity and provide a foundation for academic skills as well as social emotional learning.
MindChamps Kindergarten stands out due to the incorporation of the S.M.I.L.E.S™ methodology, which focuses on the development of Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional, and Social skills.
When combined with our cutting edge core and enrichment modules such as MindChamps Music™ (the world’s first integrated music-in-education programme) or MindChamps Reading & Writing™ (a reading and writing programme developed by literacy experts), the result is a uniquely holistic approach to early childhood education that prepares children for academic success and personal growth and development.
Important Considerations for Kindergarten Preschool
Philosophy Matters
Not all early childhood programs are created equal. Most preschools vary in their approach. Some might be more play-based, others more academically focused and some, like MindChamps, a combination of the two. We recommend finding an approach that aligns with your values and your child’s needs.
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Studies have found a positive association between a smaller class ratio and improved student outcomes. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) recommends a 1:12 staff-child ratio. MindChamps teacher-to-student ratio currently sits at 1:7 for our preschools, enabling us to provide children with more support.
Social-emotional Development is Key
We recommend prioritising preschools such as MindChamps that focus on developing social and emotional skills such as building self-confidence, friendships, conflict resolution, or expressing emotions healthily. These skills are as important as learning letters and numbers.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has helped clear any doubts related to the preschool experience. If you’d like to find out more about MindChamps PreSchool 3-Mind Approach or visit our facilities to experience our programmes in person, you can reach us here.