From Interest to Skills
Individualized Learning in Preschool
Young children learn best when essential skills are taught through topics that spark their natural curiosity. This belief drives everything we do, creating a preschool environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and independence.
While Montessori programs often emphasize solitary, independent work, and traditional preschools typically follow fixed monthly themes, our teachers craft thematic studies inspired by children’s interests. Age-level objectives are seamlessly integrated into topics that captivate and engage young minds. For example, after a recent earthquake drill, children embarked on an in-depth exploration of earthquakes, driven by their curiosity. Across our campuses, they immerse themselves in diverse environments—from a ranch and farm to forest and gardens—making learning truly meaningful and unforgettable.
5 Ways We Personalize Preschool Learning
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Our teachers continuously observe each child’s progress, skills, and developmental stages. These insights, paired with discussions with families, allow us to celebrate growth and provide the right level of challenge and support. Ongoing observations help us identify opportunities to enrich learning, ensuring each child thrives.
Some of the tools and methods we use include:
Developmental Checklists: Structured lists of developmental milestones across areas such as motor skills, language, cognition, and social-emotional growth. These help identify areas of strength and opportunities for support.
Anecdotal Records: Brief, narrative notes capturing significant moments in the classroom. These provide qualitative insights into a child’s interests, social interactions, and learning styles.
Rating Scales: Quantitative tools to evaluate the frequency or quality of specific behaviors, such as cooperation, problem-solving, or communication.
Structured Observations: Focused observations during specific activities to assess skills like sharing, turn-taking, or following instructions.
Standardized Screening Tools: Formal assessments, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), used to identify developmental concerns and guide appropriate support.
These methods allow us to create a comprehensive understanding of each child’s unique needs and strengths, fostering a partnership with families to support their growth and development.
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Children’s interests are at the heart of our teaching. When young learners are excited about a topic, it creates a powerful gateway for teaching the skills they need to develop.
For example, after our recent earthquake drill, children expressed curiosity about earthquakes. Teachers guided them through a KWL chart—a practice that helps young learners develop lifelong learning skills—where they charted:
What they Know about earthquakes,
What they Want to learn, and
Eventually, What they Learned by documenting the investigation.
This method sparked curiosity while teaching research, critical thinking, and communication skills in a way that felt natural and engaging.
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Activities at WHPS are carefully designed to match each child’s readiness and developmental stage. For instance, some children might focus on early literacy skills like letter recognition, while others practice fine motor development with hands-on manipulatives. Teachers adapt tasks and instructions to ensure every child feels supported and appropriately challenged.
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Our classrooms feature a variety of learning centers where children choose activities based on their interests and needs. This balance of structured and open-ended experiences fosters independence, creativity, and self-direction, helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.
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Progress reports shared twice a year provide families with a clear picture of their child’s growth. Teachers set personalized goals in areas like communication, social skills, or early academics and offer suggested activities for home and school. Small adaptations, like using thicker crayons or adaptive scissors, ensure that every child can participate fully and thrive.
At WHPS, our individualized approach is designed to celebrate each child’s unique strengths while building the skills and confidence they need to grow. By tailoring learning experiences to meet each child where they are, we prepare them for a lifetime of learning and a seamless transition into our elementary program.
