The Montessori experience differs from mainstream educational philosophies, and that's one of the keys to its success. By eliminating the mindless busy-work and allowing children to engage with all of their senses, Montessori toddler child care successfully allows kids to continue loving learning throughout their education. The Montessori philosophy exposes children to nature, the arts and critical thinking skills through conversation and play. Maria Montessori herself said that "play is the work of children" and the fruit of this labor can be seen in the creative thinking, relationship skills and ingenuity that Montessori kids use to succeed as adults. If you're looking at enrolling your child in our toddler program, here's what you can expect: Toddler Child Care Has Outdoor Time The natural world is filled with shapes and colors and seasonal events that can't be duplicated in a classroom. Montessori toddlers are given plenty of time in nature to...

This year Brooksfield created an oudoor classroom area for our students to explore nature, dig for worms and learn about the world outside of the classroom walls.  Led by our our Outdoor Education teacher, Anne McLaughlin, students have had fun getting dirty rain or shine!   “Water, water everywhere” was the theme this week in the outdoor environment! Undaunted by the weather, we trekked outside and were lucky enough to have some cover and protection from the rain underneath the big green tent over the picnic benches. The children appropriately dubbed our work “the water kitchen” as we noticed just how much rainfall had collected in 3 separate basins set out for water play. The children experimented with various natural objects to see which ones would sink (such as river stones and seashells) and which ones would float (Iike leaves and sticks). We even made a boat! Many children used...

Parents making critical decisions about their child’s education have a lot of tough choices to face. It can be helpful to compare Montessori vs traditional education. An  article in EdSurge  points out that Montessori schools within the U.S., because they are mostly private institutions, leave those unfamiliar with the Montessori method of education thinking these schools are to serve children from upper-income families who can afford the cost of private tuition. More and more innovators in public school education are finding ways to bring Montessori methodology into their public school systems. Indeed, the original Montessori school, Casa dei Bambini, was designed to educate children from Roman slum neighborhoods to improve working-class conditions and enable children from high-poverty areas. Montessori vs. Traditional: Student numbers Because traditional schools must educate every child efficiently, budget constraints force students into classrooms with rows of students and high student-to-teacher ratios. Most classrooms remain teacher-centered with...

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...

As a parent, you want your child to grow up to be the best person that he or she can be. One important part of growth is learning to be independent and imaginative. Nowadays, encouraging independent and imaginative play with your child can be difficult. More and more kids play with tablets and other technological devices, which can be educational and a lot of fun. However, these devices can discourage kids from playing on their own. Luckily, as a parent, there are steps that you can take. These are three tips that can help you encourage your child to be independent and imaginative, even in today's tech-heavy world. 1. Provide the Right Toys First of all, you can't really expect your child to do anything else if all that you buy for birthdays and holidays are technological toys. Although there is nothing wrong with buying tablets and other devices for...

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....