A method is not only a way of performing a task, but also a tool that helps people approach problems in a more scientific and creative way. So, what is a method? Let’s explore examples of useful methods today with Casa dei Bambini!

1. What is a method? Examples of methods

A method is an organized approach to solving a problem, achieving a goal, or working toward a specific objective. It usually consists of a series of clearly defined steps, principles, and techniques that help tasks be carried out more effectively.

By following a specific method, individuals know exactly what to do, in what sequence, and which tools to use to achieve the desired results. Below are examples of methods in several specific fields:

1.1. Learning methods

Choosing the right learning method helps learners absorb and retain knowledge more effectively. Some examples include:

• Cornell Method: An effective note-taking method that divides the page into sections for notes, questions, and summaries, helping learners retain information longer and review more easily.
• Pomodoro Technique: A time-management technique that breaks study time into short intervals with breaks in between, helping improve focus and reduce fatigue.

1.2. Teaching methods

Teaching methods refer to how teachers organize and deliver content to learners. Currently, many educational institutions apply methods such as:

• Montessori: Focuses on creating a prepared learning environment where children are free to choose activities that match their abilities and developmental pace.
• Flipped Classroom: Students first access new lessons at home, while classroom time is devoted to discussion, practice, and addressing questions.

1.3. Research methods

Research methods are used to collect, analyze, and evaluate information in a scientific manner.

• Qualitative research: Collecting data through interviews and observation to gain in-depth understanding of behaviors and thoughts.
• Quantitative research: Using statistical tools, surveys, and experiments to analyze data.

1.4. Management and working methods

Management methods help coordinate people, resources, and activities effectively to improve productivity and work quality.

• Agile: A flexible approach with continuous feedback that enables rapid adaptation to changes during work or project implementation.
• Kanban: A visual task management method that helps individuals track progress and optimize workflows.

1.5. Creative methods

These methods encourage flexible thinking and finding new solutions to emerging situations.

• Brainstorming: Gathering a wide range of ideas from a group to discover new solutions to a problem.

• Design Thinking: A problem-solving process focused on user experience, from understanding needs to testing solutions.

2. Useful and popular methods today

In real-life practice and work environments, many methods are widely applied due to their effectiveness, ease of application, and clear results. Below are some representative methods commonly used today:

2.1. Memory methods

Memory methods are not only useful for students in learning but also beneficial in the workplace, time management, and personnel training. You can apply these methods in the following ways:

• Prioritizing tasks: First, list all tasks, then categorize them by importance to focus on remembering the most critical items.
• Maintaining focus while learning: Staying highly attentive to the material helps information enter long-term memory more easily.
• Eliminating distractions: Avoid noise, phone notifications, or distracting environments to optimize memory retention.
• Taking key notes: Reading, understanding, and writing down key points helps you remember longer compared to passive reading.

2.2. Psychological influence methods

Psychological influence methods are common in communication, training, media, and are especially meaningful in early childhood education, when children are still developing cognition and emotions. Psychological influence can be applied through:

• Intentional communication: Using words, body language, and appropriate attitudes to convey messages effectively.
• Using visuals and media: Images and sounds help create impressions and influence emotions and thinking more easily.
• Encouraging positive behavior: This approach not only motivates but also guides attitudes and behaviors toward desired goals.

3. Common questions related to methods

In addition to understanding the concept and commonly applied methods, many people—especially parents and teachers—still have concerns about how to apply methods effectively in educational practice.

Let Casa dei Bambini provide clear and concise answers below:

3.1. What educational methods are available for preschool children?

Choosing an appropriate educational method is key to helping children maximize their potential during the first six years of life. Today, many advanced early childhood education methods worldwide have been widely applied in Vietnam.

• Montessori Method (Child-centered learning)
• Reggio Emilia Approach (Project-based and creative learning)
• Steiner / Waldorf Method (Holistic development of Mind – Body – Spirit)
• STEAM Method (Scientific and technological thinking)

3.2. What is the difference between a method and a measure?

A method is a general approach or direction used to achieve a specific goal in learning, teaching, or work. Methods are guiding in nature, broad in scope, and often applied over a long period.

In contrast, measures are specific and detailed actions used during the implementation of a method. Measures are flexible and can be adjusted depending on the situation to support the method more effectively.

In other words, a method provides direction, while measures are concrete actions that bring that direction into practice.

In summary, methods play a vital role in guiding how tasks, learning, and teaching are approached in a scientific and effective way.

Understanding methods correctly and choosing appropriate ones contributes to improving educational quality, especially in early childhood education—the foundational stage for a child’s holistic development.

Through today’s article, Casa dei Bambini has explained what methods are and provided examples of useful methods today. We hope this information is helpful to you. If you need more detailed consultation on early childhood education methods, please contact Casa to receive direct guidance from our teaching team!

Early childhood educators need to continuously learn, update new knowledge, and enrich their own professional “language.” Because every day at school, children are not merely participating in isolated learning activities; they are gradually learning to understand themselves, connect with others, regulate emotions, solve problems, and express their thoughts.

With that spirit in mind, Casa dei Bambini Montessori Preschool organized a professional sharing session titled “Early Childhood Education Philosophy in Australia.” This internal training activity aimed to help Casa’s teachers and staff broaden their perspectives on modern early childhood education and strengthen their professional foundation.

A guest speaker with a strong academic background and international experience

The sharing session was led by Ms. Pham Thi Mai Anh – a professional guest speaker with a solid academic background and many years of research and study in the field of education in Australia. She holds a PhD in Economics from RMIT University (Australia) and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Victoria University (Australia).

With her experience, Ms. Mai Anh brought to the Casa team a systematic, scientific yet approachable perspective on early childhood education philosophy in Australia. The professional knowledge was delivered in a clear and practical way, making it highly applicable in the preschool classroom environment.

The content of the session helped Casa educators gain a deeper understanding of “what early childhood education aims for” and how to translate these principles into everyday teaching practice.

Early childhood education in Australia focuses on children’s holistic development

Early childhood education in Australia emphasizes that classroom activities are not solely intended to complete tasks or create final products. More importantly, each learning experience should contribute to the holistic development of the child across multiple dimensions.

Accordingly, early childhood education in Australia focuses on five core goals.

• Children develop a sense of identity and confidence: Children need to feel safe, respected, heard, and recognized in the learning environment. When children experience a sense of belonging, they are more willing to try, make mistakes, and try again.
• Children learn to connect with and contribute to the world around them: Children do not only learn for themselves but also learn how to cooperate, share, care for others, and build a sense of responsibility within the community.
• Children develop positive physical and mental well-being: Early childhood education values physical movement and fitness, while also focusing on children’s ability to recognize and regulate their emotions in everyday school life.
• Children are active, curious learners: Children are encouraged to be curious, persistent, explore multiple approaches, and seek solutions rather than passively waiting for the “right answer” from adults.
• Children communicate effectively: Communication skills extend beyond spoken language to include expression through drawing, movement, presenting ideas, listening, and responding.

From a professional perspective, these five core goals form an essential “professional language” that helps educators focus on children’s developmental processes rather than only visible outcomes or final products.

Learning through play – playing the right way for deep learning

One of the key highlights of early childhood education philosophy in Australia is the play-based learning approach. In this approach, play is not a break time or a reward after completing learning tasks. Play is the most natural pathway for children’s learning.

However, for play to truly become deep learning, intentional preparation and thoughtful guidance from educators are essential. Two key elements emphasized are a suitable learning environment and timely observation and interaction from teachers.

• The learning environment should be designed with open-ended materials, flexible spaces, and intentional arrangements that spark children’s curiosity and exploration.
• Teachers play the role of observers, facilitators, and supporters at the right moments rather than doing things for children or imposing their own ways of playing.

When these two elements are harmoniously combined, play enables children to simultaneously develop language, logical thinking, social skills, emotional regulation, concentration, and perseverance.

Two practical pedagogical tools for everyday classroom use

During the session, the Casa team showed particular interest in two pedagogical techniques that can be immediately applied in daily classroom practice.

Invitation to Play – inviting children to play

Instead of giving tasks and asking children to follow fixed models, teachers prepare activity corners as invitations.

• Materials are selected to be open-ended and usable in multiple ways.
• The space is arranged just enough to spark curiosity.
• There is no single predetermined outcome.

When children are “invited” by the environment, they actively step into the experience and build their own learning pathways.

Using open-ended questions

Open-ended questions are not meant to test right or wrong answers but to extend children’s thinking and help them express their ideas. Questions such as “What are you doing?”, “Why did you choose this way?”, or “What might happen if you try another way?” help children feel respected and heard.

The teacher’s working cycle that deepens classroom practice

Another valuable topic shared was the teacher’s working cycle in early childhood education, which includes observing, analyzing, planning, implementing, and reflecting to make adjustments.

Instead of starting with the question “What should I teach today?”, teachers are encouraged to begin with “What are children learning today?” and “How can I support them to go further?”

This approach aligns with the Montessori philosophy that Casa follows, where observation is considered the foundation of all pedagogical decisions and each child’s individual developmental pace is always respected.

Casa dei Bambini stays true to its philosophy while continuously renewing itself

For Casa dei Bambini, a quality educational environment is created through a strong curriculum and a team of educators with solid professional capacity and a willingness to keep learning.

The sharing session “Early Childhood Education Philosophy in Australia” is part of a series of internal training activities aimed at broadening perspectives on modern early childhood education, strengthening a shared professional language, and renewing approaches to interacting with children in a respectful, invitational, and supportive manner.

After each learning opportunity, Casa does not aim for classrooms that are more impressive in appearance, but for educational practices that better align with children’s developmental needs, are richer in meaning, and help children grow with confidence, happiness, and a natural love of learning. This is also Casa dei Bambini’s long-term commitment in its journey of accompanying children and families.

1. Beautiful private preschool design trends

Currently, there are many popular private preschool design trends widely applied around the world and in Vietnam. Among the most prominent are Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and STEAM design approaches.

1.1. Reggio Emilia preschool design

Reggio Emilia is an educational approach that focuses on the holistic development of children’s mind, body, and emotions. This model fosters gentle and compassionate personalities while encouraging children to be proactive, enthusiastic, and creative in learning.

Preschool designs following the Reggio Emilia approach often make use of natural light, open spaces, and vibrant decorations to stimulate children’s imagination.

1.2. Montessori preschool design

Montessori is an educational method developed in Italy in the early 20th century and has since become popular in many countries.

Preschool design based on the Montessori model focuses on creating an open learning environment, using specialized Montessori materials to help children discover their potential and develop holistically from birth to six years old.

1.3. STEAM-based preschool design

STEAM is an advanced educational approach that emphasizes learning through hands-on experiences. Preschool designs following this model typically include areas for experimentation, creativity, and play connected to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, allowing children to engage directly with real-world experiences and develop logical and creative thinking.

2. Design standards for private preschools

A beautiful preschool is not only evaluated by aesthetics but must also meet essential standards of safety, convenience, and age appropriateness.

2.1. School campus

The school campus is the first element that creates an impression and directly affects children’s experiences. Outdoor spaces should be spacious, airy, and filled with greenery and flowers to create a fresh environment close to nature.

Gates and surrounding fences play a vital role in ensuring safety and minimizing risks during children’s playtime.

At the same time, the campus should be logically arranged with functional buildings, play areas, and pick-up/drop-off zones to facilitate management and childcare.

2.2. Playground

The playground is where children develop physically and explore the world, so it must be spacious, include plenty of greenery, and feature age-appropriate play equipment.

Sharp objects, water features, staircases, and other hazardous elements should be minimized as much as possible. To stimulate imagination and creativity, surrounding walls can be decorated with colorful and engaging murals and patterns that are both visually appealing and educational.

2.3. Classroom

The classroom is the central space where children learn and play throughout the day. Classroom size should meet standards, averaging 1.5–1.8 m² per child; nursery classrooms should be at least 24 m², and kindergarten classrooms at least 36 m².

Classrooms should have sufficient natural light, spacious and well-ventilated layouts to allow children to move comfortably. In addition, classrooms must be equipped with safe, age-appropriate furniture, learning materials, toys, and educational equipment to create an effective and friendly learning environment.

Restrooms are among the areas parents pay special attention to. They should be clean, airy, and maximize natural light to reduce dampness. Restrooms should be located adjacent to classrooms or sleeping areas for convenient use. Each restroom should be about 12 m², designed with appropriate partitions between urinals and toilets, and fully equipped with child-sized sinks and toilets to ensure safety and convenience in daily routines.

3. Small private preschool design models

For small preschools, designs need to optimize space while still ensuring aesthetics and functionality. Some common design solutions include:

Mini Montessori-style designs with neatly arranged learning materials and flexible living spaces for small groups of children.

Playgrounds integrated with greenery and flowers, combining planters and grass areas to create natural indoor and outdoor environments.

Bright and cheerful decorations using pastel tones, wall murals, and playful patterns suitable for children’s ages to stimulate curiosity and creativity.

Creating a small garden where children can plant and observe nature, combining learning and play while developing observation skills and love for nature.

Designing creative reading corners with low shelves and soft cushions to help children develop a reading habit from an early age.

Pastel colors combined with bright tones create a pleasant space while stimulating children’s curiosity and creativity.

Using playful patterns and seasonal decorations creates a unique and creative atmosphere.

Combining natural light with safe tempered glass, wood, or non-toxic plastic materials to protect children’s health and safety.

Designing movement areas with mats, mini slides, climbing bars, and small seesaws so children can stay active at all times.

Interactive boards, projectors, and smart learning lights make learning more engaging and enhance children’s interest and knowledge absorption.

Each classroom and play area is decorated by theme (forest, ocean, outer space, etc.), allowing children to explore and experience learning as if they were living in a real-life story.

4. Important considerations for private preschool design

When designing a private preschool, in addition to aesthetics, architects and investors must pay close attention to criteria that ensure safety, age appropriateness, and compliance with educational standards.

Preschool design is not merely about arranging learning spaces but about creating an environment that supports children’s holistic development, safe play, and comfort. Some key considerations include:

Compliance with educational regulations: Each space in the school must meet children’s learning and play needs without being restrictive, appropriate to their age, and compliant with current government regulations.

Ensuring absolute safety: All equipment and furniture should have rounded edges, minimize sharp objects, and comply with fire safety standards to protect children during all activities.

Maximizing natural light: Natural light is essential for physical development, eye protection, and creating a comfortable and energetic learning and play environment.

Age-appropriate furniture: All tables, chairs, shelves, sinks, and toilets must be appropriately sized for children so they can use them comfortably and develop independent daily habits.

Creative decorations and patterns: Using wall murals, drawings, and bright, lively colors not only beautifies the learning environment but also stimulates imagination, creativity, and cognitive development.

Choosing a reputable design firm: Partnering with a professional design company experienced in preschool projects helps ensure quality, safety, aesthetics, and optimal functionality for each area.

Designing a beautiful and impressive private preschool creates a safe, convenient environment that supports children’s development. Every detail must be carefully considered to build an ideal learning and play environment—from campus layout, playgrounds, classrooms, to restrooms. Casa dei Bambini hopes this article provides you with useful ideas for private preschool design.