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The Benefits of the Island
Co-Op
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The
cooperative preschool setting provides an opportunity for children,
parents and teacher to play, work and learn together. It is an
enrichment program for the adults as well as the children.
From the
child's point of view, preschool provides the freedom to explore, to
develop and to express themselves (even to "make a mess" if need
be). Here they are able to: |
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Participate in
group activities involving socialization process with their
peers and with other adults. |
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Develop a feeling
of independence and separation from the primary caregiver, in
most cases, mother. |
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Use materials and
equipment not readily available at home (especially those
designed for gross motor and muscular coordination skills). |
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Have many
opportunities for new experiences in a planned environment
appropriate to their needs and abilities. |
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Work on readiness
training in the area of color, perception, sizes, and shapes. |
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The Child Benefits |
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Children
need to feel good about themselves, their activities, and to
experience many "successes' as reinforcement of their self-worth.
At a cooperative preschool, the child is encouraged to further
develop physical skills and gain greater control of their
environment.
They
experience emotional satisfactions by developing more self
discipline and good habits. A child feels secure when they
know and trust the limits. By observation and experience, they
soon learn what actions and behavior are acceptable at school, even
if they differ from those at home. |
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| The Parent Benefits |
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While a cooperative preschools may be chosen initially because it is
less expensive than a private one, member parents find its greatest
value is in the rich opportunities for learning. Parents learn
about their child, the child's classmates and the other parents.
They grow in their ability both to recognize their child's
capabilities and to guide their social, emotional and intellectual
growth. |
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| The Teacher Benefits |
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The teacher in a cooperative preschool has a working, rather than
authoritarian, relationship with parents. In this partnership,
the teacher can utilize ideas and talents from parents to enhance
and expand the program. Since parents are actively
involved in the program, the teacher can gain insight into family
relationships and can better plan a meaningful curriculum for the
children. |
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