Mould Your Preschoolers Right with These Teaching Styles
Child development is a very sensitive aspect of human life, and it is not always easy. Parenting is challenging, and the style you pick significantly affects traits such as self-reliance, self-control, curiosity and independence in a child. Parenting begins at birth and gradually evolves as the child develops. Preschool instructors assist with parenting by teaching the kids safety, hygiene and social interaction. Instructors are also tasked with imparting the right attitudes on ethics, religious beliefs and other aspects such as relationships and sexuality. Here are the four common teaching styles that can be employed at a daycare facility and their impacts on a child.
Authoritarian Style
With the authoritarian approach, instructors emphasize obedience at the expense of the child's sensitivity. This style aims to control children's behaviour through strict direction and consequences. With the authoritarian style, the instructor dictates all the decisions around schoolwork and believes that perfection leads to success. The instructor seeks to develop leadership but instead may inflict some negative consequences such as poor social skills and low self-esteem.
Permissive Style
A permissive parenting style, unlike the authoritarian style, embodies lots of love, support and sensitivity. Rules and boundaries are not enforced as much as with the authoritarian style, and the children have the freedom to think freely. With this style, the instructor gets to indulge with preschoolers as a friend with little punishment for poor behaviour. While the permissive style tends to bring up kids who exhibit high self-esteem, it is also associated with behavioural problems.
Uninvolved Style
The uninvolved style has been labelled as the style with the least positive impacts. With the uninvolved style of teaching and parenting, children do not rely on parents, guardians or instructors for anything. In extreme cases, the parent may not provide food and clothing to a child. This also means that the child receives no guidance whatsoever and will very often give rise to juvenile offenders.
Authoritative Style
The authoritative parenting style is the middle ground between authoritarian and permissive styles. With this style, the instructor gets to define clear rules and boundaries and also show support and encouragement when necessary. Widely regarded as the best style, instructors maintain high behavioural expectations with this approach resulting in happier children because of the balanced approach.
The four styles discussed have different outcomes, and as an instructor, it's important to be aware and employ them appropriately when the need arises. Kids have different temperaments, and daycare instructors can bring out the most in them by adapting the styles and combining different elements for different kids.
For more information, contact a childcare centre in your area.
