Based on the ideas of the doctor and psychiatrist Maria Montessori (1869-1952), this preschool philosophy emphasizes children's learning through spontaneous activity. The Montessori methods aims to awaken a child's imagination, encourage high self-esteem and independence, develop positive social skills, such as kindness, and learn how to question and explore new ideas. All this should take place in a well-prepared and safe classroom environment where a child is free to experiment and play.
The first Waldorf school was founded in 1919 in Germany by Rudolf Steiner. He believed that children learn best through imitation and example within a creative, sensory environment. Steiner also emphasized the importance of teamwork and an atmosphere of togetherness in the preschool classroom. As of 2011, there are 147 Waldorf schools across the country where preschoolers are guaranteed the same class teacher up to sixth grade.
The Italian town of Reggio Emilia set up its own preschool education system in 1945 as an alternative to the ideas of the mainstream, Church-owned schools of the time. The Reggio Emilia approach is designed to help children develop strong thinking skills through exposing them to a range of expressive, communicative and cognitive experiences. This philosophical approach is based on a pupil-guided curriculum and favors the use of in-depth projects and group work to achieve success at the preschool level.
Developed by the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934), this philosophical approach emphasizes interactive and meaningful play for preschool children. This philosophy is based on three guiding principles: imitative play, clear instruction from teacher to student, and collaborative learning, such as group work. His most influential idea, however, was the Zone of Proximal Development: that children can only develop and become independent learners with the help of supportive adults.