What Does 'High-Quality' Preschool Look Like? | NPR Ed

You might be surprised to learn that, of all 50 states, the one that spends the most money on public preschool is Oklahoma. And researchers at Georgetown University have concluded that Oklahoma's investment easily pays for itself over students' lifetimes. Here's a look inside Nikki Jones' preschool classroom in Tulsa.

[jessicalewis]

Teaching goals! I currently teach a pre-k class in a daycare facility. The resources are limited because it is a small center, but watching this I didn't realize I could bring in natural things for activities!

[aprilyear]

This educator is thriving, her students are very fortunate (: I shared this video with my girlfriend, who teaches preschool in Washington state at a site that has incredibly counterproductive restrictions set in place, she constantly expresses worry her students won't function well in kindergarten. It almost brought her to tears. As parents we all need to voice our ideas of what preschool should be like, and stay informed of exactly what our teachers are and are not allowed to do.

[bbbright]

THANK YOU to all the under appreciated teachers out there. Unsung heros

[karinamunoz]

So, she's basically teaching with reggio and montessori techniques and beliefs. That's awesome!
I'm currently perusing a degree in Early Childhood Education with a reggio inspired "curriculum" and I really wish a lot more schools were reggio inspired. Look into it!

[TracyR]

Very similar to the Montessori method.

[colbyharris]

Damn I graduated high school and these kids know more about clouds than me

[katietennison]

This is a great method, but it is certainly not new. This is the Montessori approach, which was created by Maria Montessori in Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This method is so wonderful for all children! It allows them to learn at their own pace and  within their own interests.

[bowtheprincess]

My daughter goes to a Reggio Emilia preschool and it's setup exactly like this. It is AMAZING. All the local elementary schools know which children came from her preK, they stand out. The waiting list to get in is 2yrs long. Why aren't ALL preschools like this? Every child deserves this chance. Not just those of us who are lucky/can afford the cost.

[stacyjpoliticscommunityfai]

I absolutely love the concept of "project approach", you can really see how that young boy that was hammering is already engineered inclined. I also love the open-end interactive objects, and the student led discussion on the cumulus. All of these concepts are really helping children to develop critical thinking skills very early on. Which helps to develop problem solvers, better performance on standardized testing, and life choices.

[ydtgxwk]

This is how it is in the suburbs not in the inner city. The system is not set up inner city schools to thrive and be productive. Between the administration tying your hands when it comes to discipline, choosing to constantly label the kids as problem kids, parents not actively choosing or being able to choose to participate it's so many factors and it's only getting worse. I really wish society cared more about poor people getting educated so that the cycle could be broken instead of perpetuating it's continuance.

[jamierender]

I love the idea of an alternate activity outside. I like to have open-ended natural materials in the classroom as well! Using these open-ended materials allows children to construct their own knowledge about how to use them!

[jesstheprate]

Wonderful teacher and wonderful program, but the contempt with which she says 'daycare' is really sad. As a childcare teacher with a degree in early childhood education, I implement many of these same practices in my classroom curriculum. The only difference is that I have my children for a longer day. We need to stop treating childcare centers as less than. Sure, there are many that are 'just babysitting, ' but there are so, so many that have excellent programs and are simply extended day preschool.

[fatimazehra]

0:49

How every single preschooler speaks

[GarbagerNIGHT]

What is great about this school is that it doesn't seem to have to worry about being sanitary 24/7.  The kids are allowed to explore and lead the learning.  In California, we have so many rules about being sanitary, I think its too much.

[st.beatles]

These kids will either become

A. A functioning member of society
B. ASMR enthusiasts
C. Contraction workers
D. Baker

[eh]

I definitely think that when I have a child, I’d like to take them to this school. The teacher is actively trying to make connections to each student and is assessing them along the way to help them learn more and adjust to their learning style. It’s so amazing seeing this compared to when we were kids and how we were taught in school.

[Non_Bon]

I am in the video, and gods, I loved this class so much. Miss Jones was the best teacher I ever had. (P.s. I am the kid in the yellow with the butterfly headband )

[chickennugget]

I never would have predicted there would be so many nasty and hateful comments on this video. What is wrong with people?

[mimzgirl]

basically a Reggio program with the child directed, open ended and natural tools for teaching-

[lailajoubert]

This is exact way I am going to approach my new preschool class! Play based, inquiry-based learning is the most effective and highly underrated. Awesome job!