Schools and their Curriculum

Curriculum is an important factor when parents are searching for the right school for their children. It is also important to schools when they first open for business as well as with attracting new business. Teachers also pay close attention to a schools curriculum prior to entering that school. Typically curriculum's are labeled as age appropriate or not. This simply means that the curriculum is appropriate for the age and stages of the class that it is written for.

At times you will find a curriculum that is not only age appropriate but that is really child centered. Most modern schools are now choosing bits and pieces of other curriculum's to accompany their own. This helps a school to stick with their curriculum tradition while modernizing it with snippets of other proven and more popular curriculum's which tend to be helpful selling points especially in this time of economic instability. However, as a parent seeking a new school for your children or an aspiring teacher seeking a new place of employment, curriculum becomes the main focus. Here are some quick tips to assist both groups on your respective sides of the spectrum come to the best decision for you and your family.

Parents:
This is or should be the most important aspect of the school selection process. This tells what your child will learn, will experience and will be exposed too. This should line up with your families belief of education and children or should be explained enough to persuade you to think otherwise. Some people feel that children at two years old should be exposed to writing while others feel that a two year old child should be enjoying life through play. This is the GREAT DEBATE in the education realm and his is why there is such a diverse range of written curriculum's.
In my opinion, the classroom should reflect the curriculum and the curriculum should be child friendly. Meaning that There should be less work that is teacher created or directed as possible, in fact zero. Children should be free to explore their world and create their own way. This makes children feel very capable, and encourages Independence. Although some parents would like to keep their babies a baby forever, that is not reality and that Independence goes a long way socially, emotionally and cognitively.

Teachers:
Entering into a new school setting is already a unsettling challenge but working for a organization that you do not believe in is more of a challenge. Of course there are ways to get around it but it helps not to have to worry about it. Some teachers use the curriculum provided and apply it to their teaching style which usually works out and it helps the teacher see the benefits of both sides to the educational story...

My bottom line is, both parents and aspiring teachers should investigate the environment prior to entering into it. Doing your homework on a place will go a mighty long way!