One aspect that many parents often overlook while selecting a preschool is the educational philosophy it follows. It is a relatively specialized and challenging concept to understand and differentiate, but in its nuances, it has a significant impact on the development of a child’s character and abilities. For example, the way they explore the world and their communication patterns. In this article, you will learn the five mainstream preschool educational philosophies and approaches in the United States:

• Reggio Emilia
• Waldorf
• Monterssori
• Froebel
• HighScope

Reggio Emilia (Nature Embrace Approach)

The Reggio Emilia approach originated in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and was developed by Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi and his colleagues in the 1940s.

Reggio Emilia classrooms incorporate ample natural light, aiming to integrate the classroom environment with nature, encouraging children to experience and comprehend nature. In this teaching approach, the teacher takes on the role of a learning partner, participating in the student’s learning process and exploring the mysteries of leaves turning from green to yellow, and witnessing the process of seed germination together.

There are no fixed teaching themes, children engage their auditory, olfactory, and gustatory senses, acquiring knowledge through hands-on activities and collaborative exploration during interactions with nature. The Reggio Emilia system respects children’s natural tendencies and encourages them to be close to nature, making it suitable for parents who wish to fully explore their children’s potential and cultivate their initiative and creativity.

Waldorf (Holistic Development Approach)

The Waldorf education method originated in Germany and was proposed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. This approach is based on anthroposophy, which believes that children should receive comprehensive development in three dimensions: physical (will), emotional (heart), and cognitive (mind). Waldorf education does not have a standardized curriculum or grade-based evaluation of student performance. Teachers adjust their teaching methods based on each child’s characteristics and integrate the learning of individual subjects into creative activities such as crafts, music, and dance. This helps children achieve balanced development of their mind, character, and body. For example, instead of simply reading stories to children, teachers invite them to imagine and jointly create the storylines.

The Waldorf system excels at transforming knowledge into various forms to align with children’s developmental stages, allowing them to experience holistic development that suits their physiological and psychological needs. There are similarities between Reggio Emilia and Waldorf in terms of philosophy, as both approaches encourage children to grow through their connection with nature. However, Waldorf emphasizes the developmental characteristics of children at different ages and focuses on the outcomes of their stage-based growth.

Montessori (Self-Exploration Approach)

The Montessori teaching method was developed in the early 20th century by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. The essence of this method lies in guiding students to actively learn and explore through the use of various educational materials, enabling them to acquire knowledge and learning abilities.

In terms of teaching content, Montessori education covers daily life, sensorial, mathematical, language, and scientific and cultural education. For example, students understand the concept of number magnitude by arranging wooden sticks of different lengths on a numerical board.

The Montessori curriculum emphasizes cultivating children’s independence and concentration, making it suitable for children who enjoy innovation and independent thinking.

Froebel (Play-Based Approach)

The Froebel education model was proposed by Friedrich Froebel, known as the “father of early childhood education” and a pioneer in modern preschool education. Froebel advocated that education should adapt to children’s nature and opposed compulsory education. He divided early childhood education into four main themes: play, creativity, socialization, and nature, and specifically designed a set of “play” teaching materials. For example, the classic Froebel Gifts consist of wooden blocks of various shapes and sizes that children stack and join together to develop spatial perception and understand geometric shapes.

In terms of curriculum content, the Froebel education method includes religious and religious education, nature education and mathematics, language and language education, and art education. It aims to promote children’s balanced development. In this teaching method, teachers act as guides and observers, providing an appropriate environment, materials, and activities to meet children’s developmental needs and offering support and guidance during the learning process.

HighScope (Plan-Do-Review Approach)

Developed in the 1960s in the United States, the HighScope approach focuses on promoting the development of children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills through hands-on experiences and active engagement. A key component of the HighScope approach is the “Plan-Do-Review” process, where children plan their activities, carry them out, and then reflect on their experiences. This cycle promotes independence, responsibility, and self-evaluation skills.

The HighScope approach values adult-child interaction. Teachers actively engage with children, offering a variety of materials and resources, asking open-ended questions, providing support, and extending their thinking and learning. Additionally, this approach recognizes the importance of assessment and documentation, using this information to plan future learning experiences and involve families in their child’s education.

In summary, the level of teacher involvement varies among different teaching methods. Generally, teaching methods with high teacher involvement result in higher systematic learning, stronger interaction between kids and tools, and greater interaction between kids and adults, such as Montessori and Froebel. Teaching methods with low teacher involvement promote strong interaction between individuals and nature, and higher levels of freedom for exploration, such as Reggio Emilia and Waldorf. These different teaching methods should be considered and matched with the family’s educational philosophy.

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If you would like to learn more about early childhood mathematical thinking development methods and curriculum, please feel free to contact Think Academy at info@thethinkacademy.com or +1 (844) 844-6587.