A decade long study released in 2022 and conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University followed two groups of children from early childhood through sixth grade. Surprisingly, the study found that the group of children who attended traditional public prekindergarten, while initially performing at a higher level than their counterparts, were overwhelmingly outperformed by them by the end of sixth grade.
However, researchers emphasize that this study and others like it does not mean early childhood programming isn’t important – in fact, they argue, it is very essential! They point out that this study shines a spotlight on what traditional prekindergarten programming fails to provide. ”
Traditional Prekindergarten Overemphasizes Tip of the Iceberg Skills
Researchers have theories about the discrepancy in performance between the two control groups, including the fact that those in traditional prekindergarten classrooms tended to “drill kids” on basic skills (worksheets, tracing letters and numbers). Head researcher Dale Farran includes letters, sounds, numbers and academic school readiness as “tip-of-the-iceberg concrete skills”, and indicates that studies show that “early attention skills are more important than early academic skills as predictors of long-term school success.”
Traditional Prekindergarten Lecture Rather than Listen
Traditional programs present learning via whole group “lectures”, have large class sizes, where “teachers talk a lot, but they seldom listen to children,” says Farran, also noting that a large chunk of school hours are wasted on transition times. (Source.)
Traditional Prekindergarten Overemphasizes Control
Farran also noted that the highly structured, rule-based environment that requires a large amount of control over young children may contribute to later problems. “I think children are not learning internal control,” she said.
Quality Early Childhood Programming Develops Underlying Skills
Farran believes that higher performance from children from more affluent homes is because they overwhelmingly learn non-academic skills and academic skills from a non-didactic pre-k experience.
Farran notes that successful early childhood programs around the world offer quality, affordability, and emphasize “self-reliance and independence, the ability to make good decisions and to be responsible for one’s actions.” (Source.) They develop what she calls “underlying skills” such as broad vocabulary, interest in language, curiosity, persistence, attentiveness, incidental learning, drive to learn, predictability, working memory and self-control.
Quality Early Childhood Programming Takes a Whole-Child Approach
Diverse experiences and learning through interactions with adults and friends, as well as predictable routines, positive responses, freedom to choose (within defined limits), enrichment activities, time to focus, adult scaffolding, and support for risk-taking, were key characteristics of the quality programming, says Farran, all contributing toward developing the “whole-child” rather than just cognitive functions.
Farran mentions that Montessori programs and others like it provide young children with these “positive, enhancing experiences”.
Sonnet Montessori’s Holistic Programming
Sonnet Montessori is a holistic early childhood program, offering full and/or part time care options for infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten. Our program is founded on respect for the child and our mission to put good humans into the world and leave the world better than we found it.
Our days are filled with discovery, learning, wonder, and fun. Through hands on exploration and individualized, child-led learning, we inspire independence and confidence. Our program includes community visitors and guests, outdoor learning and convenient, on-site extracurricular and enrichment activities such as gymnastics, dance and sports.
Sonnet Montessori Offers Quality & Value
Sonnet Montessori strives to offer both quality and value. Not only do we work with state-run child-care assistance programming to provide children from all backgrounds with the opportunity to thrive in a Montessori environment, but we also strive to keep our rates lower than our competitors, and offer a variety of discounts including corporate, family, and employee discounts.
We also believe the health of our employees–who are the heart of our school–and the health of our business are essential in order to be successful in our mission. We offer a comprehensive benefit package to our employees, competitive pay, as well as paid professional development and career growth opportunities.
To learn more about our Montessori and child-care center program and full or part-time enrollment options, contact us today.
