Education is one of the most hotly-debated topics in the United States, and many parents are concerned about whether their children are getting the best education available. Of course, every person has a different learning style, so what works for one student may not be best for his or her peers. Because of this, many alternative education programs have arisen to help children of all backgrounds get a quality education. One of the most well-known of these programs is the Montessori education. Montessori Education Characteristics Montessori education programs are unique in that they allow students to learn at their own pace. Classrooms include students of all ages, allowing the older kids to mentor younger children, and allow students to choose what to work on during long time blocks. Quizzes and tests are rare, and students receive both individual and group instruction on social skills and academia. While Montessori education is...
Deciding where your children will receive their education is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. As the school choice movement continues to gain momentum, parents have more options today than in years past. One of those options -- a Montessori approach to education -- is growing in popularity across the country. Yet, there are also many myths associated with Montessori schools. Let's consider six of the most persistent Montessori-related myths-- and the truth behind the misconceptions. Montessori classrooms have no structure Montessori education is a child-centered approach to learning where independence and freedom within limits are emphasized. A casual observer who is accustomed to traditional schools might initially view a Montessori classroom as unstructured, but that's simply not the case. Montessori classrooms are thoughtfully prepared with developmentally appropriate learning materials. The belief is that when children are given the flexibility and independence to explore what interests...
Montessori education is different from ordinary schools. We're interested in helping children learn and grow, not teaching them how to fill in circles on a Scantron sheet. We want to encourage a lifelong desire to learn in our students. We don't want them to memorize random facts, regurgitate them for a standardized test, and promptly forget them as they study the next chapter. We know that children grow into adults, and we want them to be useful adults, capable of independent thought, capable of caring, capable -- and willing -- to make the world a better place than they found it. What is a Montessori School Instructor? A Montessori instructor is the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage. "The social and natural sciences in Montessori elementary are presented with a specific goal in mind: to set each child out on a lifelong search for meaning." Montessori...
Do you have a ‘big kid’ living in your home? By ‘big kid,’ I, of course, mean a small person who cannot reach his own socks without the aid of an adult but who will insist from the minute he wakes until that precious moment he falls asleep, that he is ‘big.’ So big, in fact. Or maybe you live with a legitimately big kid whose desire to do all the things all around the house still far exceeds her height and current capabilities. Whichever kind of big kid you have, chances are they long to do things like fix their own breakfast, help you make dinner, and dress themselves without any assistance. And, chances are, you’re ready to let them do a little more in this very busy early-school time of year. The only hiccup in this grand plan is that your house is not set up to...
It’s never too early to start thinking about what kind of education you want for your child, and right now there are more options than ever, including a plethora of public schools, private schools, as well as specific-curriculum designed programs. The Montessori curriculum, however, has been around for many years and is gaining more attention. About the Montessori Curriculum The Montessori model was developed in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori. It was designed to provide a unique education for children from low-income families and children with disabilities. The Montessori classrooms teach children at a variety of ages, in blocks that are dedicated to different learning opportunities. Unlike traditional educational methods, the Montessori curriculum allows students to choose their own activities and work with their peers in small groups. Teachers guide the students and assist them as needed, but the education style does not include a grading or testing system....
When your child is enrolled in Montessori School they spend their days learning with hands-on activities. Montessori students are encouraged to learn by doing and are given opportunities throughout the day to do just that. Children are also given the freedom to explore topics that are of interest to them. A huge variety of tools and activities are available for students to choose from as they see fit. Knowing this, it is easy to see why a child may come home with questions and even more exploration on their mind. Instead of sitting your child in front of a television set, why not offer them a selection of activities and take advantage of their curiosity? Below are just a few of the many simple activities you can put together for your child in five minutes or less. These are perfect for entertaining the little ones while you prepare dinner....
In addition to being a child-centered community, the Montessori preschool classroom is also a “prepared environment.” The prepared environment is Maria Montessori’s concept that the environment can be designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child. The Montessori preschool classroom is a “living room” for children. All of the furniture is child-sized and all of the materials are scaled to fit the physical dimensions of a preschooler’s body. Space is usually divided into four distinct areas: practical life, sensorial, mathematics, and language. Although these areas represent part of the curriculum, it is important to remember that no subject is taught in isolation. The Montessori preschool curriculum is interdisciplinary and interactive. In the prepared environment, there is a variety of activity as well as a great deal of movement. A 3-year-old, for example, may be washing clothes by hand while a 4-year-old nearby is composing words and phrases with letters known as the...
You may think you have years to pick an educational path that’s right for your child . He or she is still a toddler, why rush them into a pre-K program? The fact is, this may be the MOST IMPORTANT time for your child’s educational growth. Toddlers are information sponges. They soak up everything around them. You want to know that your child is as prepared as possible for their coming educational experiences. You may worry that your child will be missing some of the vital skills other students their age have already had the chance to gain. What skills can a Montessori pre-K program give them to best prepare them for educational and life success? Montessori Pre-K Teaches Independence If your child still cowers behind you and needs you to do everything for them, it's time to start working on their independence. Your child should be able to ask...
Is a Montessori preschool right for your child ? While there are many benefits to sending your little one to school early, it can also be a tough decision to make. Many parents may have anxiety about leaving their young child in school all day, while others may not feel confident preschool is worth the extra expense. There are various other concerns that come up when parents are considering the possibility of preschool, and while they are all valid concerns, the pros of enrolling your child in preschool far outweigh the cons . Children are like sponges. They crave and quickly absorb any information you send their way, and they desire to be out in the world exploring in order to grow academically, socially, and in their ability to work independently of their parents. Preschool can fulfill all of these needs for your child. This is especially true of a...
Brooksfield School is a Montessori school founded on shared experiences and a joy for life and learning. We employ outstanding teachers, specialists, administrators and assistants who dedicate themselves to inspiring and nurturing the children every single day. Over 30 years, Brooksfield has refined its vision of what a Montessori school should offer children. Our focus on art, nature, and mindfulness enhances the Montessori principles at the heart of the curriculum. Let’s take a look at those principles. A Montessori School is Student-Run In a traditional school system, the teacher dictates the lessons of the day and the students follow along, regardless of the pace of learning or how well the student comprehends the material. In a Montessori school, however, the teacher acts as more of a facilitator , while the students learn to work together at different stations. This is proven to be a great method for teaching kids valuable social...
