Educational programs for first -graders: which one to choose?

The main task of parents is to choose a program that will best develop the potential of children and help you to instill a love for learning.

Tverdohlib.com/depositphotos

One of the important stages of preparation for school is the choice of a curriculum for the first -grader. This decision should be made when you apply to school, but until you start your studies you can change it.

Each modern school teaches one of the typical programs-NUSH-1 or NUS-2, but many educational institutions have additional, alternative, which can be better suited to your child.

Educational programs should be accredited every 5 years, that is, checking whether they meet state standards.

UP. Life has collected a list of accredited alternative educational programs and explains the difference between them and between the typical ones.

Typical Educational Programs NUSH-1 AND NUSH-2: How are they different

There are two typical teaching programs of first -graders. The difference between them is in the form and submission of material.

NUS-1 – This is the conditional name of the educational program, edited by Alexandra Savchenko. It is clearly structured, has a pronounced division into separate subjects and defined recommendations of teaching methods for the teacher. In fact, it is a classic school we remember.

NUS-1 is more convenient for teachers, especially for those who have long been in the profession: it is easier to report on it, it retains a traditional approach to teaching and contains a little innovation.

Educational program edited by Roman Shiyana conditionally called NUS-2. Its main advantage is that it is integrated into the everyday life of children. All lessons are related and the learning process resembles a project rather than a list of individual disciplines. NUS-2 provides greater freedom for the teacher in choosing how to organize learning.

In practice, this happens as follows: for example, the theme of the week sounds like « the world of animals », the theme of « Who are insects? » In the lesson « I know the world » children study the structure of the insect. In the Ukrainian language – they learn to write their names. In mathematics – they count their paws and tendrils, perform insect tasks.

Alternative Curricula: What are the accredited in 2025?

The author’s curricula are different from the standard form and submission of material. They often imply a lot of attention to the psycho-emotional component of learning.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, parents of first-graders can choose in addition to typical training programs as well:

• Educational program of primary education according to Waldorf pedagogy.

Waldorf pedagogy is positioned as a humane and holistic educational system. It pays a lot of attention to creativity and contemplation.

• « The world is waiting for the winged. »

Integrated educational program with quests, games and many mobile tasks. It does not use textbooks, only a guide (one per week) and provides self-assessment of children.

This program is known as one that is suitable for children with mathematics abilities, but it is positioned as such that contributes to humanistic, environmental and integrative educational ideas.

The training is adjusted to age interests and peculiarities of perception. For example, from the first classes, children begin to study astronomy, because often at an early age, children begin to be interested in the topic of space.

• « Intellect of Ukraine ».

A rich educational program based on STEM education principles. It is also integrative, involves a lot of lessons in the development of logic and understanding of the principles of self -study.

• Elconin-Davidov and others educational training program.

Compared to previous alternative programs, this is less common. It combines with NUSH and involves long -term training.

You can find out more about each individual on their sites.

It should be noted that the author programs carry additional load on the family budget: not all of them need to buy additional printed materials, the state does not provide them.

How to choose a school and an educational program that skills need a first -grader and how to evaluate first -graders We told here here.