Every parent wants the very best for their children, especially when it comes to education. While many parents wait until college to begin looking around for particularly top-notch facilities, others take a more proactive route, and try to find the preschool that will give their children the best advantage in life. For many parents, the best advantage often comes from sending their children to a Montessori school.
A preschool Montessori curriculum can be very inclusive and innovative. Montessori children are exposed to letters, numbers, and shapes in preschool, and are encouraged to learn at their own pace. By allowing the children access to activities of their own choosing, private Montessori schools encourage the development of self-discipline and social skills. Montessori children have been shown to possess higher motivation and more undivided interest, and place greater levels of importance on their schoolwork than their non-Montessori peers.
Parents who are concerned about keeping music in schools need not worry about that with Montessori schools. Students are encouraged to experiment with music, and often use it in lessons of other subjects. Numbers, days of the week, vocabulary, and facts are all easier to remember when set to music. Studies have shown that children who actively play music or sing before kindergarten have higher self esteem and better social skills.
Some children may not do well in a Montessori setting, however. The original curriculum set down by Maria Montessori incorporates three hours of uninterrupted child-led work. The lack of structure in such a classroom may be too distracting for some children and teachers. Even students who flourish in a Montessori classroom may have trouble transitioning to a traditional classroom structure later. Deciding whether a Montessori school is right for your child or not requires a firm grasp on how your child learns and plays.
With the age differences in children often found in a Montessori classroom, the older children are able to mentor the younger children, while the younger kids have positive role models to look up to. Montessori education can be a great way to promote natural curiosity in your child, helping them learn at a comfortable pace.
