46 - Wednesday. Augusi 21, 1991 - North Snore News Assess preschools before choosing program blochs, inchide weteites and stories, or help the chiidren draw stop signs or labels WHEN YOUR child goes te preschool, mech more is happen- ing than vou can see. By Susan K. Perry Contributing Writer Young children’s first exposure to playing and iearning in a group sets the tone for the rest of their education. You want them to [4 = CAPILANO COLLEGE NOW SN ug 19 - 20th PRINTED | FLANNELETTE 100% COTTON 36/90 cm Reg. 3.98/m Sale 2.49 99 Office Technology Programs Career training for administrative support personnel ¢ Secretarial—9 months 2 Financial—!0 months e Adminisirative Assistant—10 months Acquire communication, interpersonal and computer skills: word processing, spreadsheets and database. QUR GRADUATES ARE IN DEMAND The Office Technology Program oifers you: ¢ Professional instructors © Well-equipped computer labs © Job placement © Work practicums Some part-time courses are available. We have a place for you — but hurry! Telephone 984-4959 to arrange for a personal interview. 2065 Purcell Way * North Vancouver ¢ B.C. © V7J 3H5 BROADCLOTH complete other preschool dass believing that what woes on om is classroom) as esvciting and pleasuar- able. “Phe carly childhood vears are a critical time for leasing.” sass Barbara Willar, early childhood specialist and public affairs direc- tor of the National Association Yor the Edueation oof Young Children (NAEYC). “Children whe feel good about © College Certificate assistance Financial assistance may be available through Canada Employment Centre. 45°15 cm 65% polyester/ 35% cotton Reg. 4.98 Sale 3.49 1 239 MEMBERS i /m MEMBERS ds /m 33890 104th Ava. JOGGING FLEECE 60"/150 cm 8.98/m to 12.98/m NOW ther curds Ghildhead prograns feel comtortable with school. Thes vet ancads message that thes can be successful dearners and to ro inte hindereatten and first grade with that Kind of attitude can be es. tremely important,” she says. That's why choosing the right early childhood program tor your chin is so important, When considering a preschool, obserse the children going about thetr daily activities over a period of several visits. What you see is what your child will get. beautifully written brochures and philosophies notwithstanding. The following checklist to help identify a quality program is bas- ed in NAEYC's recommendations. — Are all areas of development — physical, social, emotional and intellectual — considered equally important? “if children spend all their time sitting still) and listening to a teacher, the staff is probably stressing cognitive development more than social development,” points our Willar, “If children learn othrough = group activities where they share objects and ne: gotlaie with one another over dit- ferent: items, both social and cognitive development are heing considered. “Ts outdoor time treated as an important period of the day and not just a time to fet off steam?" ashs Willar. You can telb if emotional devel- opment is part of the program by observing the irderactions between the children and staff, und bs noticing whether the adults are looking out for the children's well-being. Do the teachers show siuins of affection for the kids? — Fs the curriculum integrated, cather than divided into distinct subjects? “Tf you're told that the children spend 20 minutes on math uctivi- ties and 40 minutes on reading, and then they have time for out- door play, I'd be worried,’” says Willar. “Children’s learning is very in- tegrated, and teachers should plan for lots of different areas within the course of a single activity. So, for instance, even though children R.N.B. DANCE & THEATRE ARTS Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz Musical Theatre, Drama Registration and Auditions Sat. August 31st Inquiries 980-3040 SEWING CLUB MEMBERS HOTUNE Reg. price Fabrics, Sewing Notions and Patterns 10am - Ipm (Audition 11am) YMCA 44G Hendry Ave, N. Van. (Near Park & Tilford) Guarantee 1 year parts 2 years labour 386-5X 386-25 — ——ae — ae ES Comer of Lloyd/Marine as easy as ABC ACT - 80386 are System $845 EUS Great deals on these 3 “computers too! 386-33 iQ COMPUTERS 1093 Marine Drive with would are plasing the teacher maybe math for a pretend grocery store,” she says. -- Do the tasks children’s own ences? Children learn best when activi- ties are relevant to them. Teachers need to figure out what interests the children and then design expe- nences Chat relate to their lives. An cxumple would be having the children dictate personal stones for the teacher to write down in handmade booklets. — Does the staff provide oppor- tunities for children to converse freely with cach other and with adults, and to have teach- er-facilitated discussions? Children learn best when theyre an active part of the learning pro- cess, a5 Opposed to sitting still, listening and being told what to do. “The bottom line is you want to hear the voices of happy children,** says Willar. ~— Is there support for cooperative small-group projects that promote peer interaction? The room should be structured to include a variety of learning centers which actively encourage two or three children to work together. — Are a variety of teaching mate- rials used and is more. than one teaching method employed? Look around for an enriched environment with many choices. The teacher will be more directive at some times, while other activi- See Check page 47 relate (to the personal experi- Software Components Upgrade Service Repairs We lease Computer Systems too! rev, Si049 486-25 486-33 985-6735