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...

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...

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....

It’s been a long, strange few months, and returning to school is likely a welcome event for many parents and kids.  But while returning to school is important for children’s social and educational development, the transition from homeschool back to the classroom can be a difficult one, global pandemic notwithstanding. You and your child probably have a lot of questions, and maybe a little anxiety, too. Here are some ways to prepare your family for a successful start to a new year.  Strategies to avoid virus transmission The CDC has provided guidance for schools in order for them to open as safely as possible. Brooksfield School will be adhering to all guidelines and takes you and your children’s safety seriously. As a parent, now is a good time to reinforce healthy practices so they will not seem strange when school starts. Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue...

We parents have already made it through an unusual and difficult spring amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Now we face managing our children’s summer months without the aid vacations and activities that usually help us whittle the hours away. It can be easy to panic at the thought of a free-range summer, especially if you and your partner work full-time. Having to come up with new ways to entertain already bored children is taxing mentally and emotionally. As with the school year, your children may also need time to grieve a summer gone awry. Offer comfort and advice when you can. Empathy can also go a long way toward helping them deal with their emotions. However, just because this summer may not look like those in the past doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and educational. Here are some ideas to help you salvage your children’s summer. Kick it old school: Remember...

Weeks, or even months for some of us, of social distancing have taught us that creativity and a good attitude are keys to staving off boredom during this pandemic. Another good practice for boosting our moods during this difficult time? Exercise! Daily physical exercise helps children build strong bodies, reduces their risk of depression, and improves attention and some areas of academic performance, according to the CDC. Preschool-aged children should be active throughout their day — for roughly three hours — for healthy development. Children ages 6 and older need at least an hour a day of moderate or intense physical activity. But how do you manage this if you’re stuck inside your home or apartment? What do you do if you don’t have a lot of free space to work with? Here are a few ideas to help get you, and your kids, moving.  Dance - Crank up some tunes...

Homeschooling. It’s not something many of us parents ever dreamed we would be doing, but here we are trying to map out your child’s education on the fly. It can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few supplies, you can help keep your child learning and entertained. The good news is this situation is only temporary. There is no need to try and become a professional educator overnight. Your first, and most important, job is to be a parent. Provide structure and make children feel secure and loved in this ever-changing world is the top priority. And you’ve got Brooksfield’s weekly updates and YouTube feed to help. Don’t try to create rigid lesson plans. Even small children know that mom and dad teaching from home isn’t the same as school, so don’t try to make it the same. Have fun. Teach practical life lessons that...

As adults, our imaginations can run wild when we don’t have all the facts. Now imagine a 4-year-old without a full story, they will have no trouble filling in the rest. That is why it is so important to talk with our children about this pandemic; they need factual information that they can understand. Children pick up on their caregivers’ emotions. When talking with your child about the coronavirus, it is essential to use a calm, reassuring voice. If you are anxious when speaking with them, they will pick up the signal that this is something to be anxious about, and that likely will end up spiraling out of proportion for our little ones. As you share information with your child about what is going on with the coronavirus right now, be sure to follow your child’s lead. As the Child Mind Institute of New York puts it in their article...

At Brooksfield School, we teach more than just classic school subjects like math and writing. We want our students to feel more confident and capable all-around, and one way we do this is through teaching them mindfulness skills. Mindfulness is the process of concentrating on only one thing and remaining peaceful in the present moment. It allows people to not worry about other things that may be going on around them or thoughts that may be building up and adding stress to their lives. We find mindfulness especially crucial for young children who are still developing and learning more about the world, which is why it is so important to us and our learning philosophy. Mindfulness is not something strange or complicated, but rather something that anyone can easily do at almost any time. That said, it does take a bit of extra concentration and care, and you can not just...