A teachers’ group yesterday urged parents with young children to avoid preschools that tout extensive rote memorization programs, urging them to instead prioritize schools that provide adequate space for outdoor activities.
National Federation of Teachers’ Unions president Chang Hsu-cheng (張旭政) told a news conference in Taipei that many preschools tend to train children with extensive educational programs — including those focused on memorizing English vocabulary, Confucian works and Shakespeare.
He said that early education should focus on integrated learning that enhances problem-solving abilities instead of workbooks for different subjects.
Parents should choose schools that allow children to grow up well-rounded, while an “overt faith” in an English learning environment might lead parents to neglect other important factors, Chang said.
He said that parents should avoid preschools that arrange seating in fixed rows of desks, adding that a flexible spatial arrangement allows more space for conducting group activities.
An ideal preschool should employ the services of both preschool teachers and “educare” workers, as the two types of professionals undergo different types of training, focusing on early education and childcare respectively, Chang said.
He added that parents should be wary of preschools that have high employee turnover rates, since such circumstances might imply a harsh or stressful working environment.
Other factors that the union discussed include the professional backgrounds of foreign teachers and whether the school allows parental visits during class time.
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