Characteristics of an Exemplary Preschool Class

An exemplary classroom has real life works that have related activities on the shelves for the children to practice. These activities isolate different components of the whole work. These activities and works promote order, concentration, coordination, and independence. Everything is sized for the child, and there are functional items: tools, glass, knives, and hammers.

Materials are created to engage all of the children’s senses, and keen observation is developed by drawing attention to points of interest. Single attributes are isolated so that children can focus on one difference at a time. They move from the known to the unknown.

A classroom is the children’s place and the adults are the guests. The adults are guides that provide the structure of the environment so that the children may have freedom (within limits) to complete their work of self-construction. “There is no freedom without limits.”

Adults are role models and strong leaders. Role models always demonstrate and live what they expect the children to do. There are expectations and goals but not rules. Children are given appropriate choices, redirected, and presented lessons rather than correction. “Teach teaching, not correcting.” Strong leaders can unify a group by bringing a diverse group together to form a common bond. “All for one, and one for all.”

Children are shown ways to be assertive yet respectful, no victims. Children are shown ways to respectfully disagree and state their case in a positive manner, no bullies. Children are shown by example and appropriate choices ways to problem solve, no apologies necessary. Adults discuss and role model with children the way the community functions. Respect is modeled for the environment-people, animals, plants, objects. Adults are facilitators, not judges or arbitrators.

There is a mixed age grouping that allows a child to be the oldest, the middle, and the youngest child. The mind of a three year old is closer to the mind of a five year old than to the mind of an adult. Children are socialized by the peer group and by a strong role model and strong leader that can unify the group.

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