Starting school can be a very stressful time for mother and child alike, as that very strong bond must be loosened a little and the child is introduced to the world around them. Sourcing a preschool can also seem like a daunting task, and with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you find the best early learning program that will best prepare your son or daughter for the 12 years of formal education.
- Short Travelling Times – A top kindergarten school on the other side of the city might seem perfect, yet if your child has to spend more than half an hour in the car in order to get to school, this is too much for a young child. Let’s not forget the journey home as well; and in some cases, a 4-year old spends nearly 2 hours a day in the car, which is not healthy.
- Child-Centred Approach to Learning – This is proven to be the most effective way for young kids to learn, and all activities should be fun-based, which keeps the interest levels high. Giving the children a say in what they actually learn is very important and with the best preschool in Bangkok following these principles, you can be sure it offers the children a lot. One early learning methodology that really does work is the ‘Reggio Emilia’ approach, which is a system of learning developed in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia by a teacher and a group of parents, and there are many schools around the world that adopt these principles.
- School Mission & Vision Statements – If you want to know what a school is about, read their mission and vision statements, which should clearly define how they see children learning, and these would be found on their website.
- Make Good Use of Technology – As Google is your best friend, you can gain a great deal of data regarding all of the local early learning programs without ever having to leave your home. Browsing all the school websites will help you to create a shortlist, and after preparing a list of questions, you can book a private tour of each institution that you feel might be suitable. A website can really give you a good idea of a school and how it works, and if there are parent reviews, even better.
- Booking a School Tour – This is the final stage of the process, and with a few questions you have prepared, the school principal would show you around, which gives you the opportunity to observe the children while engaged in activities. You should be seeing a lot of happy children and if fun is not on the menu, this should raise a few alarm bells, as children develop a love of learning if they enjoy the process.
Once you know what to look for, sourcing the right early learning program is much easier, and the perfect school would have a warm, inviting ambience and be a place where you always feel welcome.
