Here are the methods of discipline used in preschools:

time out or conflict resolution

There was an old school theory which still exists that time out is the best way to handle discipline in schools. Just search and you can find many schools and parents using this as a way to remove the child from the conflict, sending the message that the behavior needs to stop. While I believe it has its place in your home, in a school  setting it can make a child feel shame for being singled out in a public setting.

Conflict resolution suggests that children are educated about the value of communication that is respectful and honest, while expressing feelings of being hurt by someone’s actions.

Conflict resolution requires that teachers are trained to help children by modeling communication that is calm and well spoken, where teachers can also interact with children by teaching them how to articulate their feelings.

There are six steps we use at La Canada Preschool to teach conflict resolution:

1. Approach the children in conflict calmly and stop the conflict

2. Acknowledge everyone’s feelings

3. Gather information about what has happened

4. Restate the problem

5. As for ideas from everyone for a solution and help choose the solution

6. Be there to follow up and give support

When you are visiting a preschool ask the teachers and directors how do they handle conflict with the children. It is a question that is often overlooked yet one that becomes important as it will effect your child and set the stage for their ability to understand conflict in a social setting.

Developmental: Here we see the theories of Jean Piaget, who believed that children as well as adults pass through stages of development that are defined by developmental norms of behavior. The developmental preschool allows for children to be seen individually in a setting that allows for their development to progress through play based learning.

Progressive: This encompasses many of the traits of a developmental school, yet there is an emphasis on community and being a part of the world outside of a school setting. This means there are field trips, where children children study the community. The educator John Dewey held the belief that the educational process begins with the interest of the child, and that the child’s natural curiosity is at the for front of there curriculum.

Montessori: There are four principles of this philosophy: learning should occur in a multi age classroom, the teacher is the guide for the child as opposed to having all the answers, children work at their own pace, and a classroom is set up according to subject areas.

Cooperative: This is a school where the children work in the classroom as teachers assistants, as opposed to having paid personnel. There is a teacher who directs the parents in working with the children, and there is usually a traditional approach such as developmental. The tuition is usually low at these schools, making preschool more affordable.

Waldorf: Here to sense of unity is of importance, focusing on the mind, body and spirit as a whole. Here any learning of abc’s is not part of the curriculum, as the emphasis of of play, music and art as well as the relationship between the teacher and child is what is valued.

Reggio: In these schools the environment is called the third teacher, with the belief that environment dictates behavior. The classroom is set up to look like a home, with couches to create a non-institutionalized atmosphere. Parent involvement is expected on everything from school policy to child development concerns. Parents, children and teachers are seen as equal partners.

Here at La Canada Preschool we embrace many aspects of each of these teaching methods. We are a developmental school since we need to fit in somewhere. At the same time we have couches in our classroom, we believe the teacher/child relationship needs to be valued, we have multi age play time, and have classrooms set up according to areas of interest.

Lots of choices: Best of luck.

To help you with your search, let me give you the lowdown on LCP.

Who are we? We are a group of dedicated early childhood educators who believe in children learning through play. We have worked together for many years, and believe that if a child loves school that will set the foundation for all future learning.

What do we do? We provide a play based environment with mixed age groups, with art, music and literature being at the core of our curriculum.

Where do we do this at? La Canada Preschool is located in a beautiful neighborhood, with a large tree in the backyard, lots of sand, a garden, a real wooden playhouse, and non-institutionalized classrooms. We have been here 62 years.

When do we have preschool? Monday through Friday our morning program operates from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Our Pre-Kindergarten is here from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The children may attend in the morning T-Th, MWF, or Monday through Friday. Pre-K is Monday through Friday.

How do we do this? By having an intelligent, caring group of families that support our work by believing in our little school and the good work we do.

Please consider taking a tour of La Canada Preschool.

1. Visit the preschool ahead of time. We have an open yard at LCP, where you can come by one the weekends as a family and have a visit.
2. Talk about how you will be back soon. We sing a song, Mommy comes back, Daddy comes back, your nanny comes back and we all come back.
3. Keep the drop off routine consistent: No Changes: Children need routine and for transitions to be handled in the same way: this builds trust and security
4. Check out your own emotions. Children will look to you as their emotional barometer. If you can be strong, they can be strong.  Be sad away from their view, as it is confusing when you ask them to be happy about preschool and you appear sad.
5. Be sure to communicate your concerns with the preschool director. Find out how they handle separation, how are the children comforted, and ask for feedback as to how your child doing each day at preschool.

Separation Sadness is normal, healthy and in no way an indicator of future success. Be compassionate to yourself if you are sad, and know that this is just another piece of the parenting  journey.

We have a few openings left at  La Canada Preschool, on Tuesday-Thursday mornings. Here’s what you need to be here:

• 2 years 6 months old
• Toilet Independent
• Ready to play
• We would love to have you

lacanadapreschool@gmail.com

stay cool,

debbie

We have a small preschool, which allows us to be flexible with families. By this I mean if a parent wants to stay for a few minutes to assist in the separation, that is good with us. Our issue is that we need the parents to drop their child off in the front yard of the school, as we are in a residential neighborhood.

When you bring your child to school be sure to have a routine where you bring them to school the same way each time. Say goodbye, do not sneak out, and if your child is sad reassure them you will be back.

At our school we hug children, give them space, look for their comfort cues, and stay close to them when they are sad. We sing a song about how mommies and daddies come back.
Today a little guy wrote a letter when he was sad about mommy leaving:
Dear Mommy,
I don’t like it when you leave. Come back now.

After he wrote the letter we took three deep breathes and he went off to play.

At preschool we will take the time to sing a song, write a letter, and take three deep breaths to help with separation.
And lots of love…

What I’m Thankful For
Hey it’s Mr. Tony again with some fond words about La Canada Preschool. There are a lot of things that I’m thankful for being at La Canada Preschool. And no it’s not having Panda Express, McDonalds, Subway, Penguins or any of the other food choices within the area. I feel very lucky to work with such wonderful staff members like Diana, Rosemary, Susan, Pammie, Elizabeth, Jamie, Mr. Scott, Mollie and of course Ms. Debbie. Well I now have one more person to be thankful for and that’s Lauren who just joined us last week. She’s wonderful with the children, she’s super helpful, and just like the rest of us she has a real passion for working with children and I know she’ll fit in just great. And when I do a food run to any of the above food places mentioned earlier I’ll be sure and ask her if she’d like anything when I go. Be sure and say hello to Lauren. She’s very friendly and I know she’ll be happy to meet you.

Yep it’s just around the corner and I’m not referring to Panda Express.   Saturday April 30th we’re having our art fair.  I’m excited about the parents finally being able to come in and see all the art work done by their children.   There will be a large variety of art work for the parents to come and see.   We’ll have body tracings, string painting, very cute bird houses, blow dryer art, dictations, and lots more as well.    I’m also happy to announce that after a few trips to Target, Fry’s, Rite Aide and Cost Co. for all the needed supplies, the slide shows are finally available to take home.    I had a lot of fun matching music to each and every child.   All the slide shows should play on either a PC or DVD player.    I hope you all find them enjoyable.   I hope the slide shows give you some fun insight into what a day at the preschool consists of.   I hope everyone enjoys all the different art that the children put a lot of themselves into.  See you at the art fair.