Teaching Methods II

I listed the below teaching methods in two categories structured and less-structured. Each program would offer a different environment, culture and way of communicating for your child. The other big difference is "modeling". Where Waldorf & Montessori has children modeling the parents & teachers, Reggio Emilio's students model Reporters, Progressive Learner model Scientists.

Less-Structured Teaching Methods
Waldorf - Originated in Germany - Emphasizes creative, child directed learning, protect child from overuse or misuse of technology such as television and computers, education of the whole child, stress the importance of the natural environment, absence of plastic toys and in general, keeping in touch with nature and natural materials, provide a rich variety of art, music, dance, and theater at all ages. Often use stories and puppets during lessons for small children. Older children keep a learning journal.

Note: Academic subjects are not introduced to children, most often, until age 7 or first grade.

Reggio Emilio - Originated in Italy - Emphasizes creative child directed learning, stress the importance of the natural environment, absence of plastic, keeping in touch with nature and natural materials. They emphasize observing and learning from the world around them. A lot of art and creative play. The schools keep an art teacher on site even in preschool. The biggest difference is the child is though of as an independent thinker observing, learning and communicating a lot like a news paper reporter.

Note: Subjects like geography and math are indirectly learned (if the child introduces it) and not in the curriculum.


Structured Teaching Methods

Montessori - Originated in Italy - Emphasizes , protect child from overuse or misuse of technology such as television and computers, education of the whole child, stress the importance of the natural environment, absence of plastic, keeping in touch with nature and natural materials, provide a rich variety of art, music, dance, and theater at all ages.

Note: subjects like geography and math are introduced in preschool

Progressive Learning - United States influenced by Germany - Emphasizes learning like little scientist, problem solving, critical thinking, why things happen, hypothesizing. The teaching methods do adapt as new teaching ideas become available. The method is not stagnant just as the students are not sedentary. One project directed by the teacher might be the phases of water and why a snowball melts when warmed.

Note: Subjects like geography and math are introduced in preschool. Communication, public speaking and presentation skills are developed.

	Student Model	Student Model
	Parents/Teachers	"Reality-Based" *Professionals
Less Structured	Waldorf	Reggio Emilio
Structured	Montessori	Progressive Learning

*The term "Reality- Based" is new and is tied to an objective reality that can later come back to kick you in the butt to put it bluntly. It refers to careers that are tied to the natural world including those that are anthropological. A scientist is "reality-based" whereas a stock broker is not. A microbiologist or reporter is "reality - based" a painter or marketer is not. I did not make up the term.

Reggio Emilia

For many who contemplate which teaching method is best for their child; Waldorf, Montessori, or Progressive Learning the process could not be harder. But I am tossing in another choice that may not be available yet in your area but to keep your eyes out for, Reggio Emilio which was developed in the municipal school system. "The town’s approach to early childhood education was born in the 1940s when a young journalist and psychologist named Loris Malaguzzi decided to rebuild the war-ravaged school system."

The NYTimes did a piece on the Garlanded School and the devout following of parents and teachers. It reminds me a bit of the Waldorf but the children are encourage to document their efforts with photos and text and are directed to learn how to stay focused on projects of their own choosing. There is also a "Atrium" central room (like in so many Italian homes) for the children to gather and exchange thoughts and ideas. They even have a separate room for a resident art teacher and the children's creations, photos, and other are prominently displayed throughout the rooms.

It is less structured and does not spend a lot of time on the testing requierments for many competitive kindergartens. You would have to make up that difference at home or with a tutor.

Teaching Methods

I thought we had it all planned out. DD was going to go to a Waldorf Pre-School and Kindergarten which is in walking distance. (There is not a Waldorf grammar school in the city.) Then she would go to a Progressive Learning School in Buffalo, we would then take a bus. But now my husband has introduced the idea of Montessori Pre-K which I did not realized existed and was only a few blocks from our house. I wounder if it would be a better fit for DD's needs? The main goal is to fine the right fit for our child. A school that compliments her style of learning. Every child learns differently; kinesthetic, visual, auditory or is tactile. Plus there are other ways of learning. It is up in the air until I learn more about these schools and how my child bests learns.

I honestly think that different people have different needs and wants. One school may work better for one person and not another. As DD develops I am looking at her strengths, weaknesses, what the future world will be like and what school offers her the greatest chance of being satisfied in life.

Now I am dealing with three teaching methods. I am looking into different styles of teaching methods first. Then when I am satisfied with a teaching method I will look at the various schools that offer the method I choose. (This second part can be tricking. There are many schools that "teach like" but are not associated with the parent school. Often parent schools will have a certificate for associated schools. Or at least be registered with the parent school.

Three methods

Progressive Learning: Progressive Learning is a principal championed by John Dewy as a starting point as a teaching method. This system is an American Method that treats children as little scientist, developing hypothesizes, exploration, critical thinking and problem solving skills. I noticed the three most popular clubs at the Local Progressive Learning school were Ecology, Mock Trial and Model United Nations. The preschool is housed in a cottage and the children are kept together. Subjects like geography and science are introduced in Pre-School.

Waldorf: The Aurora Waldorf School in West Falls NY with a satellite Pre-K in the City of Buffalo is based on the method developed by Rudolf Steiner in Germany. They encourage creative make-believe play with all natural (no plastic) toys. They often teach the little children through story telling. The schools here in WNY also have kids knitting, cleaning and imitating adult activities like shopping in a home like environment. They also create a journal where they keep all their lessons learned. This was the biggest thing that attracted my attention. The journals are for all subjects and are a combination of writing, graphics and pictures. I thought this as a great learning tool. Though subjects like geography and science are traditionally introduced at about 7 years old.

Montessori: The Montessori Method was developed by Maria Montessori in Italy. It seems to be a combination of the creative play from Waldorf and the problem solving/science way of learn in Progressive Learning. They seem to use Modeling creative play more so then make-believe. Montessori has been known to introduce subjects like geography and science in pre-school.

I am booking a walk trough of the Waldorf, Montessori and Progressive Learning Schools this fall, 2008. I also will schedule a walk through of the Olmstead Public School & Tapestry Charter.

So, far everything I know about these schools is through the internet and recommendations.