If your child thrives on order and rhythmic repetition, this may be the best option. But a Waldorf education can benefit almost any child, says Patti Regan of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. Waldorf teachers believe that even children with special needs can bring something important to a group. However, the program is not recommended for children with severe developmental disabilities. Like Montessori, the core belief is that children learn best by pursuing their personal goals and interests.
Individual programs decide the length of the school day.
It was originally created for at-risk urban children and used successfully in conjunction with the government's Head Start program. Today it is more widely used in a variety of preschool settings. Whether a child needs to be toilet trained before starting is up to each facility, Epstein says. Philosophy The Bank Street method focuses on child-centered education. Bank Street-trained teachers aim to foster children's development by offering diverse opportunities for physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth.