How to Choose a Head Start By Haley Schvaneveldt
A Google search for “preschools in Anderson County” yields a map speckled with red pins. For parents on the hunt for the preschool that best fits their child, the sheer number of options may be overwhelming. Where should you start? What questions should you ask? How do you begin narrowing down the list? Why Preschool? In South Carolina, preschool education is optional. However, for many families it is a great choice. Anderson mom Ashleigh Cole described preschool as giving children a “head start on education.” For Laura Hayes, a mom from Belton, preschool is “not so much about learning concrete information… but about expanding social skills and helping children to get acquainted with how a classroom functions.” The Method to the Madness Finding a preschool that teaches using methods you agree with is essential. Education theory is not just for grade school. One of the most popular education methods that begins in preschool is the Montessori method. The Montessori School of Anderson describes this method on their website as being student-centered, allowing students to “learn at their own pace, free to complete a project or pursue a subject as deeply as they wish according to personal enthusiasm.” Several preschools in Anderson utilize this method. However, even if a school does not subscribe to a named theory like Montessori, it is important to decide if a school’s education methods are right for your child. For example, Hayes said she looked for a classroom where creative projects and time outdoors are emphasized, and technology is de-emphasized. Do not be afraid to ask a school representative what principles and practices of education they value, and to determine whether those values line up with your own.
for schools that are enrolling a lot of kids who are being raised similarly to how I’m raising mine.” Not only will her child be spending a lot of time with his classmates, she pointed out, but Hayes and her husband will likely find themselves interacting with other parents. Having common ground, “just generally makes for better relationships in and out of school and helps to create a more empathetic community for your child, Hayes said. “And from what I know, the best way to maximize learning is to pair it with lots of empathy. The sense of safety that comes with that helps the mind to open up and soak in a lot more.”
Faith and Lifestyle Religion is a factor for many parents in choosing the best form of education for their children. A large percentage of preschool programs are hosted by churches. In Anderson County there are preschools hosted by Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches, to name only a few. Choosing a school that most closely aligns with your own beliefs may be important to you. But finding a compatible school for your child goes beyond religious denominations. Hayes said, “I looked andersonmagazine.com
Plan a Visit Many preschools offer open house days or are willing to schedule visits. These events are a great opportunity to get access to information you can’t learn from a school website. When Cole visited the preschool she eventually chose for her youngest son, she observed “the environment was full of positive energy. All the teachers were sincerely engaged with children of all 16
March/April 2019