10 Signs of a
If your child is between the ages of 3 and
6 and attends a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests
you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good
- Children spend most of their playing and
working with materials or other children. They do not wander
aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods
- Children have access to various
activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and
other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books,
paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games,
pegboards, and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same
thing at the same time.
- Teachers work with individual children,
small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
They do not spend all their time with the whole group.
- The classroom is decorated with
children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling,
and stories dictated by children to teachers.
- Children learn numbers and the alphabet
in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of
plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking
attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning
- Children work on projects and have long
periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets
are used little if at all.
- Children have an opportunity to play
outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more
- Teachers read books to children
individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group
- Curriculum is adapted for those who are
ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize
that children's different background and experiences mean that they do
not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
- Children and their parents look forward
to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the
program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or
complain of feeling sick.
Copyright © 1996 by National Association
for the Education of Young Children. Reproduction of this material is
freely granted, provided credit is given to the National Association for
the Education of Young Children.