It’s that time of year when many new faces are seen around Pinewoods: prospective parents who are touring our school to enroll children for preschool. We offer toddler classes for children age 18 months to two years old and primary classes for preschool age children age two to five. And while we have an open house scheduled for February 23, from 11am to 1pm, parents are welcome to schedule a tour anytime during the week. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you tour prospective preschools.
Parents often have a mixture of questions for us as they tour our school, but many don’t know where to start. So here are some thinking points as you visit Pinewoods or another Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough area preschools:
Where is preschool located?
Many people choose a preschool for their children based on proximity to their homes. But that often gets lower on the priority list as parents learn more about individual schools. Pinewoods has families from the Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Mebane and Durham area. But we are in a sweet spot for the area, conveniently located to two major throughways.
What is the philosophy?
Not all preschools have a philosophy or they may all look the same at first: a safe and welcoming place for young children to spend time and learn a bit about the world. But even at such a young age, philosophy can make a difference to your child.
The Montessori philosophy is based a belief that children pass through different stages of development. Each stage defines how children best take in information. In the “absorbent mind stage,” a developmental period from birth to around age six, children possess limitless motivation to achieve competence within their environment and to perfect skills and understandings. In this period, children best take in concrete information sensorially.
Parents who tour Pinewoods will see this at work: a child traces sandpaper letters as she makes the phonetic sounds; another masters fine motor skills will tongs and cottonballs or a spoon and beans. And many parents express the same surprise: “The children are so focused!”
What is the approach to discipline?
This is an important element to understand when choosing a preschool for your child. At Pinewoods Montessori, the children experience freedom to explore and learn. And surprisingly enough, the very liberty that the children were given the means to reveal their self-discipline. Meanwhile, there are rules. It should never be assumed that children understand what it means to be kind or respectful. At Pinewoods, a great amount of time and energy is focused on teaching lessons that demonstrate socially acceptable behavior. Children don’t just automatically know how to be a friend, express anger, or how to solve problems. And this leads us to lessons on grace and courtesy.
Where is preschool located?
Many people choose a preschool for their children based on proximity to their homes. But that often gets lower on the priority list as parents learn more about individual schools. Pinewoods has families from the Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Mebane and Durham area. But we are in a sweet spot for the area, conveniently located to two major throughways.
What is the philosophy?
Not all preschools have a philosophy or they may all look the same at first: a safe and welcoming place for young children to spend time and learn a bit about the world. But even at such a young age, philosophy can make a difference to your child.
The Montessori philosophy is based a belief that children pass through different stages of development. Each stage defines how children best take in information. In the “absorbent mind stage,” a developmental period from birth to around age six, children possess limitless motivation to achieve competence within their environment and to perfect skills and understandings. In this period, children best take in concrete information sensorially.
Parents who tour Pinewoods will see this at work: a child traces sandpaper letters as she makes the phonetic sounds; another masters fine motor skills will tongs and cottonballs or a spoon and beans. And many parents express the same surprise: “The children are so focused!”
What is the approach to discipline?
This is an important element to understand when choosing a preschool for your child. At Pinewoods Montessori, the children experience freedom to explore and learn. And surprisingly enough, the very liberty that the children were given the means to reveal their self-discipline. Meanwhile, there are rules. It should never be assumed that children understand what it means to be kind or respectful. At Pinewoods, a great amount of time and energy is focused on teaching lessons that demonstrate socially acceptable behavior. Children don’t just automatically know how to be a friend, express anger, or how to solve problems. And this leads us to lessons on grace and courtesy.
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