In a parent-participation preschool, the child’s first exposure to a school experience is an extension of the learning that has been taking place between the parent and the child from the day he/she was born. The child learns to share his/her parents with other children and to accept help from other adults. It’s a positive experience for a child to develop relationships with adults who like children and want to be a part of the early educational process.
Participating in a parent-child preschool offers as much to parents as it does to their child. Being in the classroom, observing a competent teacher and associating with other parents give the parent a better understanding of the development of young children. Parents can view their child more objectively by seeing them in relation to other children of the same age. In addition, the preschool proves a new source of camaraderie between the parent and child that has its focus outside the home.
When you come into our school, please remember it is a child’s world! The activities are their work, ideas and fun. We are pleased to have you as a member of our teaching team. We want you to feel confident and comfortable working and playing with the children in the classroom. Please feel free to ask for clarification if you do not understand your responsibilities or have any questions regarding your role in the classroom.
The children are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves. They choose their own activities and settle their own difficulties if at all possible. Since children learn far more through experience (play) than through structured verbal instruction, many free choice, non-instructional activities or learning centers are set up for them to explore. You are a guiding presence, a sustaining influence and a friend. According to the type of play happening in your area, your role as facilitator is to be ready to meet the needs of the child, to support and encourage.
This handbook will provide some tools and resources when working in the classroom and as a member of a parent-child preschool.
