Growing minds need constant sensory input. This sensorial focus is at the heart of the Montessori education. It stimulates the child’s five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. It allows them to study and experience their world in a meaningful way.  Sensorial learning activities help children explore shapes, colors, textures, sounds, tastes, and smells. It is a fun way to learn that is also extremely beneficial. By using sensorial materials and practicing sensorial activities, children are given different avenues to classify and create order to their understanding, learning, and place in the world. It helps them build necessary skills, such as logic and cognition, while also helping enhance their memory by learning through experience.  Sounds great, right? But what does it look like in the Montessori classroom?  Montessori sensory materials are broken down into eight different groups:  Visual: This includes exercises in which children learn to visually discriminate between objects....

When choosing a Montessori school that's right for your child, be prepared to do your homework. After all, no two schools are exactly alike, regardless of whether they use a Montessori or more traditional approach to education. While most Montessori schools adhere to the same general educational philosophy, some schools apply the Montessori principles more extensively than others. With this knowledge in mind, what exactly should you look for in an ideal Montessori school? Consider the following five characteristics: Professional affiliations. Montessori schools have the option of being affiliated with or accredited by certain national and international Montessori organizations. What organizations should you look for? The most common include the American Montessori Society (AMS), Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and the International Montessori Council (IMC). Remember: Being affiliated with or accredited by one of these organizations isn't mandatory. However, schools that are affiliated with the AMS, for example, demonstrate a certain standard...

Created in the early 20th century by Maria Montessori, the Montessori private schooling system has and continues to benefit children across the globe. In the U.S. alone, more than 5,000 public schools currently employ Montessori methods, and private school students are reaping the benefits of this education. Across the board, Montessori children are reported to better demonstrate abilities in the realm of social justice and fairness and score higher on social and behavioral exams. Additionally, kindergarten Montessori students are reported to be better equipped for elementary reading and mathematics, as compared with non-Montessori students. But what is it about Montessori that sets these private school students up for excellence and success? The natural learning process is key to any Montessori education, and with that comes 5 vital principles: Every child learns differently The Montessori education recognizes that every child is unique and responds differently to different learning environments. Each child has...

Early childhood education, including day care and preschool, has been shown to help children's emotional, personal, social and economical development. More than two-thirds of four-year-olds and over 40% of three-year-olds were enrolled in preschool in 2005, according to The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). With preschool such a vital part of a child's life, many parents want to be sure their children are getting the best education possible. More and more parents are turning to schools that offer a Montessori curriculum for their child's early elementary education. Maria Montessori developed the first Montessori school in 1907 to serve children with mental disabilities, or those who were economically disadvantaged. There are many factors that distinguish a Montessori elementary education from a traditional elementary school. Special educational materials and the absence of grades and tests are the most obvious. Because of the environment of multi-age classrooms, Montessori children benefit from a...

As summer comes to an end and the beginning of the school year quickly approaches, it is time to get your kids ready to head back to school. At Brooksfield School, we want to ensure that students experience as smooth as possible of a transition, so we have compiled some tips and tricks to help you and your children feel excited and prepared for a new school year. School begins for all our students on August 24, so do not delay in helping your child prepare for their next adventure! Supplies School supplies shopping is one of the most integral parts of back-to-school season. Wherever you choose to shop, you will want to gather all the essentials, including notebooks, pencils, folders, crayons, and more. We share school supplies lists with each family before the beginning of the school year so that your kids can get everything that they need to succeed...

When summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside! As the days get longer, encourage your children to spend more time outside, exploring the world around them. Each day contains endless possibilities for playing, discovering, and creating, whether it’s in the backyard, down the block at a park, or heading to a nature preserve or hiking area. There is so much for children to learn about the world around them, and summer is the perfect time for children to become more connected to the plants, animals, and ecosystems around them as they learn and grow. Even though summer is an exciting time for exploration, it can also be challenging to keep kids busy during long days out of school. Though “backyard playtime” is an important time for learning and for play, structured activities and projects can encourage kids to think outside the box and explore new ideas. In order to keep...

Summer will quickly be upon us and with it comes a big break in your child’s daily routine. A gap that needs to be filled with enriching activities that keep your child learning and engaged.  One way to fill the summer is with a camp like the one provided here at Brooksfield. Students enjoy a variety of age-appropriate activities and weekly themes that add to the learning experience.  But what if your child can’t attend a summer camp? Not to worry, there are several things you can do to make sure your child is continuing his or her education through the summer months.  Much like a regular Montessori school year, the role of the adult during a Montessori summer is to create a prepared environment that the child can independently explore. These spaces are simple, well organized, and easy for a child to navigate alone.  Create a space To create this...

Many people have heard of Montessori for toddlers, but many are surprised to learn that you can begin implementing the principles for babies, too. Infants are like tiny little sponges, absorbing everything around them as they begin to form ideas, feelings, and impressions. From your baby’s environment and language development to touch and play, there are so many things you can do to help your baby process his or her environment in an enriching way. Communication The way you begin communicating with your child in infancy goes a long way into helping structure their language development and how they perceive themselves in the world around them. Even if your child is unable to respond back to you in a way that you understand, babies are still processing and understanding the information you tell them. To help foster positive growth try these ideas: Explain what you’re doing: Take everyday tasks, such as...

The Montessori curriculum is a unique educational method that has been changing the lives of children for over a century. This method of education is distinguished for its multi-age class structure and exploratory methods. Rather than adhering to high-pressure traditional schooling methods with grades and tests, Montessori programs give students educational tools appropriate to their age groups, and allows students to choose their own work and learn in a collaborative environment. With more than 5,000 private Montessori schools in the United States that employ the method, it's clear that the educational movement is alive and well. While we may know about Montessori schools, many do not know about the woman behind this movement. Maria Montessori was a groundbreaking woman of her time that pushed the boundaries of her gender and the education system as she knew it.  Maria Montessori Blazed a Trail Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870. She...

While it is well-known that Montessori schools foster confidence and independence in their students, they also promote interdependence as a major value. Students should feel connected with other people, as well as nature, so we encourage them to explore these relationships whenever possible. Through actively learning about the importance of interdependence, students at Brooksfield School become more empathetic, mature, and proactive members of their communities. Pod Learning Promotes Interdependence One way in which all children at Montessori schools experience interdependence is through participating in three-year pods. Older students in each “pod” serve as mentors for the younger students, providing them with help or guidance whenever needed. All students experience both being the mentor and the mentee during their time at Brooksfield so that they can better learn how to both help their peers and be helped by their peers. As a result, students become more caring, respectful, and even responsible. When...