* PICKING A PRESCHOOL *

Find out which of the preschool types in the country today is the right one for your child

Preschool marks a significant period in a child's basic life. Parents have the primary responsibility of deciding which kind of teaching method will home their tot's ability to the fullest.

Will your child feel more comfortable in a big classroom setting or in a more intimate group? Would you prefer a specialized teaching method that focuses on your child's strengths or a method that allows him to explore all possible subjects.

Educational institutions have different teaching methods or approaches, but this does not necessarily mean that one is better than the other. Ultimately, the decision will boil down to which preschool your toddler will best fit in. Here's a detailed rundown of the four most common education model in our country's preschools today.

***MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE APPROACH (MI)***
According to Dr. Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence theory, people are born with the potential to optimize at least one of the nine intelligences: word smart, art smart, body smart, music smart, self smart, people smart, nature smart, number smart.

Dr. Gardner believes that children learn best through their strongest suit. Therefore, under the M.I. approach, teachers help children discover their kind of "smart" and use it as a way to teach concepts.

Preschools that implement the M.I. curriculum adhere to the belief that learning is an individual process and that there is no one strategy that will work for all students. Thus, to ensure the success of this approach, teachers should be
well- trained in teaching a single concept through various ways.

The M.I. classroom is set-up with a learning corner for each intelligence. All of which teach the same lesson as determined by the yearly curriculum.

For example, when learning basic geometry, the "art smart" may go to the art corner to trace, cut and color circles of different sizes. The "word smart" on the other hand, may go to the language corner and read or listen to stories, riddles or poems about different shapes.

Assessment of a student's performance and evaluation of his or her skills cannot be quantified in the M.I. approach because intelligence is not measured using standardized tests. There is no grading system to determine whether your child is one of the top honor students in his class.

***MONTESSORI APPROACH***
Dr. Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, based her educational method on giving children freedom in a specially prepared environment. Under the guidance of trained directors, whom Dr. Montessori called "leaders" of the classroom, the students' interest are addressed; learning progress and the development of their individual potential are monitored.

A Montessori classroom promotes positive interaction among kids of different ages, provides limited materials to encourage sharing and allows children to move freely and choose materials on their own to enhance self-direction and democracy. Hinged on the principal of "guiding" kids toward their own independence and sense of responsibility, the Montessori approach provides a student- centric environment as opposed to the traditional classroom's "socialized" learning.

The method doesn't use homework and grades to gauge performance and improvement. However, some parents may feel that without adequate practice at home, their children may not fully understand the lesson. Other parents also prefer to see an actual report card so they can monitor their children's progress.

As a processed-oriented school, it focuses more on how students accomplish their task without any outside pressure. They are also taught to take care of their needs inside the classroom. This method helps the child develop more confidence, a greater sense of responsibility and competence.

***WHOLE LANGUAGE APPROACH***
This approach focuses on reading and literacy as tools in teaching all the other academic concepts like history, math and science. Whole language teachers create opportunities for pupils to use language through natural, purposeful and meaningful reading and writing activities.

A typical class can start off with story telling or poetry reading by the teacher. A group discussion ensures on what was read, which hones students' comprehension skills. Through reading, children also learn phonics. grammar and the many conventions of written language. However, some experts argue that although children develop high pronunciation as much.

Another advantage of the Whole Language is that it discourages the labeling of learners and allows students to learn at their own pace. It welcomes the individuality each student brings to the learning situation, whether or not they are remedial learners, learning disabled or severely impaired. Because the philosophy recognized the integrity of learners, it views none as disabled or impaired.

However, since the method doesn't establish a standard which should be aspired to or achieved, children may not have the opportunity to engage in healthy competition or develop a sense of ambition - both of which are important in child development.

The components of a Whole Language literacy program include the
following:
* literate classroom environment
* reading to and with students
* individualized instruction
* independent reading
* students as authors
* integrating literacy skills into the curriculum across disciplines
* increased parent involvement

***TRADITIONAL METHOD***
Traditional education employs lecture, demonstration and homework with emphasis on frequent testing and a standard grading system. It is basically teacher-centered: the teacher stands in the middle of the classroom and gives out information. Advocates of non-traditional schools believe this approach to be one that concentrates on mastery of content, not on individual development.

The methods regular use of drills and recitation helps develop children's memorization skills, verbal-linguistic intelligences, and logicol-mathematical intelligences.

* one approach to teach a concept to the whole class
* emphasis is given through standard drills such as flashcards,
multiplication table fact sheets and worksheets
* children are seated most of the time, listening to the teacher
teacher or answering drills.

What Else Should You Consider When Choosing Your Child's Preschool?
* Accessibility
- Aside from the distance, take into account road condition and traffic.

* Class Size
- Ten to 15 students or a teacher-student ratio of 1:6 is usually
recommended.

* Student-faculty Relationship
The school's main thrust in teaching should be to provide children with real or concrete materials and hands-on-experiences. The school faculty must have keen observation skills so they can determine which activities will best respond their children's individual needs.

* Parent-faculty Relationship
Parents are the link between the school and the home. Make sure the school holds regular parent-teacher conferences were teachers can give parents constructive feedback on their child's progress.

* Combination of Methods
Merging of methods acknowledge that children learn differently and at varying speeds. In a progressive school, teachers employ a variety of methods when teaching concepts. This includes traditional drills that are often combined with play, puppet shows and movement activities.