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...
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...
Selecting toddler daycare services in Mclean, VA is an important process. You want to be sure that your child will get the most out of their daily time in daycare, offering vital skills that will prepare them for kindergarten. The question, however, is how you'll know that you've selected the right daycare for your child. If you're thinking about a Montessori-based daycare, there are several benefits that your child will reap as early as kindergarten. Montessori-Based Daycare Will Improve Concentration It's hard for any child to sit and concentrate on a task they aren't interested in--especially when that task involves filling out a worksheet or completing another educational assignment they don't understand or have no interest in. When your child attends Montessori preschool, however, they'll gain the pieces to enhance their concentration in several different ways. They'll be encouraged to continue the learning process when something catches their interest, rather than...
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...
The Montessori method is a unique philosophy of early childhood education that develops all aspects of a child: social, emotional, physical, and academic. Children learn to engage their world with all of their senses while being exposed to nature, the arts, and critical thinking skills built through conversation with their peers and play. Montessori teachers believe play is the work of children. At Brooksfield Montessori Pre-School, learning and creativity are emphasized through play and social interactions. Students are introduced to new concepts by their teachers and are given the skills to discover and learn new ideas on their own. Small groups and individual-driven lessons mean learning is student-centered and allows for discovery and experiential learning. Without time restrictions, the student-led instruction and open-ended activities result in children finding their own answers. Teachers serve more as directors of the class rather than the sole imparters of knowledge. This process often leads to...
Children enrolled in Montessori School have plenty of opportunities throughout the day to spend time outside. This is because playing and working outdoors has many proven benefits for people of all ages. Consider how you feel after spending an afternoon in the park or yard. Most people feel refreshed, invigorated, and more able to focus. This applies to children as well. In addition to the benefits listed above, outside play helps kids connect with nature, and truly appreciate the beauty of our world. It also gives young people the opportunity to run, jump, and shout, all things they may not be allowed to do indoors. Dr. Maria Montessori observed these things in her studies and placed a great emphasis on allowing children time in nature and offering them nature education. For all these reasons, it seems only logical that young people should spend as much time outside as they desire. Therefore,...
To say the last few months have been stressful would be a gross understatement. From closed schools and businesses to not being able to visit friends or family, there have been a lot of changes to our daily lives that will likely continue for several more months. In addition to these changes, our children are now getting a first-hand look at how we as parents are dealing with these stressors. Our behavior in these days, weeks, and months are crucial in fostering good coping skills for our little ones. Many of us adults are, understandably, feeling a lot of stress and anxiety. Financial strain, disrupted routines, canceled summer plans, loneliness, and rules that seem to change every day are taking their toll. That stress and anxiety can trickle down to our children if we’re not careful. It’s important to try and handle pandemic related issues in a calm and confident manner....
