Early Childhood Education Compare & Contrast Paper Essay

As too soon childhood educators we completely have our let philosophies and approaches to education. There atomic number 18 several types of early childhood syllabuss. Each political platform has its own philosophies, methods, and program goals. Every early childhood educator is eccentric making distributively(prenominal) early childhood program experience special. Consistently, early childhood programs offer educational foundations that prep atomic number 18 fresh learners for their educational futures. In this paper I will focus on comparing and incompatible two programs that stood out to me, Ridge patronage Montessori and the Whitaker doubt let.When examining early childhood programs at that place atomic number 18 many similarities and disaccordences across the board. After observing both programs, I spy that both conditions have benefited from tailoring the services and programs provided to their communities. It helps early childhood programs travel more ef fective at reaching their students. These two programs focus on providing services to two different communities of families, however, they both have the same goals in preparing students for formal schooling. The environment of each of these two programs differs in many ways. payable to the different methods, computer programme, aim of family involvement, resources, funding, and instructors available programs can differ in structure. Some programs argon built on models ground upon mental theories and principals, while others are more focused on students interests and undivided(a) postulate. Ridgeline Montessori school is a deposit down public take aim school that is offered to any students in the community, through a lottery system. Students who dont initially take a shit in are placed on a wait tilt in the order in which they applied.Read AlsoCompare and telephone circuit Essay Topics for Elementary StudentsEven though Ridgeline is a public charter school, many low-inc ome families may non be aware of the opportunity or have the resources to send their children on that point. encephalon appear on the other go by is a national federally funded program, in which enrollment is based on family income. Head Start also has a wait list and there are many families who have to wait to get into the program. The difference in program eligibility creates a difference in the types of families and children that enter these programs.Most students enrolled at Ridgeline come from middle class families, where they do not have to irritate about their basic needs world met. This allows these students families to be more obscure helping channel their energy and attention towards learning. Head Start children, on the other hand, usually come from low-income families, in which meeting their basic needs can be an everyday challenge. The differences in these two home environments find an intricate role in the garnish up and implementation of each program.The Hea d Start program focuses not only on educating young children, but also making sure that theyre socially, emotionally, and physically healthy. Head Start programs provide families with services that ensure students are receiving adequate nutrition, right(a) care, and that there basic needs are being met. Ridgeline Montessori offered free and cut down lunches at one time, however, due to the lack of need for this service, the program was cut. Students at Ridgeline look outm to have less of a need for services and therefore, more focus is put forth on education and learning.Ridgeline Montessori uses the Montessori method, which was lifted by Maria Montessori. The Montessori method views children as being unique individuals in which each child has their own interests and learning potential. The schoolroom and materials are ready in advance, with manipulatives set up all around the classroom. At first view the classroom looked similar to the classrooms I previously sight, however , with further examination I noticed many differences. One of the intimately noticeable differences I detected upon walking into the Montessori classroom was the noise level.The classroom seemed rather quiet considering the consider of students. The layout of the classroom is much different. Instead of having several different designated centers the whole classroom is a center for exploration and learning. Materials and manipulatives are spread a grand the immaterial walls of the classroom and children are free to choose which type of materials they would like to gain with during independent work time. You do not notice any individual desks and chairs set up in the classroom, rather a few tables and chairs classify together.The furniture is all child size and you do not see any adult sized furniture throughout the classroom. Students spend most of their time working on the floor where they have their own individual carpets. They put them down to outline their personal workspac e. Instead of there being various toys and games spread through out the classroom, there are specialized sensory materials and manipulatives that are self correcting and purposeful to students learning. On the walls students work fill spaces throughout the classroom, similar to the walls of a Head Start classroom.Montessori classrooms are made up of mixed grades and ages, something that is not typical of conventional classrooms. The Head Start program I visited uses a more traditional comprehensive method. Students are all close to the same age. Since the program is federally funded there is much emphasis put on performance standards and statement objectives. The classrooms at Head Start are a center based classroom with different areas for pre scat play, math manipulatives, language/ reading/ makeup area/ art exploration, blocks and large motor, water play, sand table etceteraThere is a group area for circle time activities and line time. The classroom time normally starts out with calendar work or story time. Children then tell the teacher what center or chance on experience they will start on and they choose work. Students are free to move from center to center as they choose as long as they stay somewhat involved in something and are not bothering others. Students dont have to go to any center they are not interested in although a teacher may fire an interesting activity to a child who has stuck to the blocks for a few days.Classrooms tend to be lively with a hum of activity. Materials are often bright colored and made to imitate real life materials. There are specific skills and concepts that each center is aimed to teach students. Throughout the classroom there are individual desks and chairs for students to sit at or large conjunct tables to work at. Students also have a specific spot on the large rug where story time and group time takes place. In the Head Start classroom the teachers role is puff up defined, the teacher is prudent for imple menting and directing the classroom activities.Head Start teachers are required to have at least a two-year grad and mustiness complete a certain amount of educational prep hours. Teachers are also expected to complete home visits, where they visit their students homes. Teachers direct the classroom activities and dictate what materials will be cover throughout the day however, students do have periods of time where they get to descend what they want to work on. Students interests shape the Montessori teachers role in the classroom.Teachers are expected to allow the individual interests of the students to shape the activities of the day. The teacher is responsible for preparing the classroom environment that is educationally interesting and safe. The teacher acts as a guide, initially introducing a pertly concept to a student. Then the teacher will observe and analyze as the student works with the new concept, until mastering it. Montessori teachers go through special training to become a certified Montessori teacher. Teachers are required to maintain regular communications with the parents and guardians of students.Teachers are also expected to keep good documentation of the students growth and progress. twain Head Start and Ridgeline strive to develop a high level of family and community involvement. Head Start requires home visits and parenting classes for some families. The program is set up, to not only help the child get on token and ready for formal schooling, but also help the parents and guardians be prepared for the process as well. Ridgeline requires that parents and guardians volunteer or help out in the classroom at least 40 hours a year.Both programs put great emphasis on family involvement. Since Ridgeline is a Montessori school the curriculum is already set up. It is shaped by a sequence of three handsome phases. These phases include exercises for practical life, sensory education and language activities. The rate at which the students move through the areas of curriculum is directly related to the students mastery of each sequenced level. There is also a great enormousness put on learning through the senses and all materials and manipulatives are meant to be aesthetically appealing.The Montessori method uses five basic principles as the foundation for the program take note for the child, auto-corrections, prepared environments, sensitive periods, and absorbent mind. These five principles are the guides for all Montessori programs. The Head Start curriculum is quit different from the Montessori curriculum. Head Start uses a traditional high/scope curriculum which is emergent, meaning it is not planned in advance. In the same way that students interests shape the Montessori curriculum, students help to determine the curriculum in a Head Start program.Plan-do- palingenesis is the teaching-learning cycle that is implemented throughout Head Start programs. In the Plan-do-review teachers and students plan out what th ey are going to do, do it, and then review the outcome with the classroom community. Since Head Start is federally funded the curriculum must meet national and state standards. The Whitaker Head Start I observed used routine and structure to help guide students throughout the curriculum and the day. The predictability of the days routine help students to receive what is next in the day.Montessori schools work off a philosophy of respect for students abilities and interests. The main topic is to allow children to explore, grow and develop at their own pace. Head Start works off of a philosophy which promotes equality in social and emotional growth. The main idea is to provide students and families with the tools and resources to help prepare young children for formal schooling. Both programs are critical and beneficial to the students and families they serve.