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 myths — and the truth behind the misconceptions. Montessori Myth 1: 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...

Preschool is an important developmental period for your child. It is a time that shapes who they are and who they will become. In preschool, children learn social and emotional development, school readiness, language skills, and cognitive skills. These years are imperative to your child’s growth, not only academically, but also personally. Clearly, preschool is important, but how does Montessori teaching fit into this? Maria Montessori created the Montessori private school system in the early 20th century. She opened up her own school in Rome in 1907 and decided that she wanted to create a classroom environment that encouraged self-discipline and responsibility. The teachers were not strict; they were merely guides. Instead of a teacher-centered learning environment, it was child-centered. This revolutionary idea is what created Montessori teaching. There are now 8,000 Montessori schools in the United States of America. These schools are considered progressive, and they are allowed to do...

Dr. Maria Montessori stressed the importance of outdoor time for children. She felt that connection with nature was a key part of childhood that should never be skipped or pushed aside. That's why students at Brooksfield School are always given plenty of time to explore their outdoor environment. Quiet times spent simply thinking and feeling in nature, rowdy times spent climbing rugged trees and rolling down soft, grassy hills, and curious times spent investigating, exploring, and discussing the plants and animals around them are all integral parts of a child's education. In a Montessori environment, students are allowed all of these special times outdoors and are encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity to spend time outside. When young people spend time outdoors and have a true and deep connection to nature, they gain a desire to protect what they discover to be so very wonderful and magical. Because of this...

If your child is in Montessori childcare, you clearly value their education. Most parents who sign their children up for a Montessori education do so very deliberately, and you are likely no exception. Good for you! The Montessori approach provides an amazing foundation for students to build upon, and you can rest assured your child will be getting an excellent start in life when they attend a Montessori based daycare. In order to ensure your child's Montessori education is as effective as possible, you can provide them with activities at home that are just perfect for expanding upon what they are learning in school. Here are a few simple ideas of activities you can do at home to help your child get the very most out of their Montessori childcare experience. Toddler Education: Letter Matching Letter identification is the first step to reading. You can help your child learn to identify numbers by...

You probably already know that there are quite a few good private schools in Virginia, but you might have never thought about sending your little one to any school other than a public school. Many of the public schools in Virginia are great, but this doesn't mean that public school isn't a good option for your child. These are a few reasons why you may want to consider private school for your little one. Private Schools Ensure Specialized Attention There are many great teachers in the public school system. Unfortunately, public school teachers are often overworked and underpaid, and they usually have large classrooms full of children to teach. A teacher who is responsible for teaching 25, 30 or more students each day obviously can't give each child the individualized attention that he or she deserves. It's not the teacher's fault, but ultimately, it's your child who has to suffer. In a...

You know that when you enroll your child in a Montessori school, you’re giving your child the gift of an education that they’ll love. But did you know that the benefits of Montessori school extend far beyond the school itself? Engaging in a Montessori education is associated with a wide variety of positive long-term outcomes, even for students as young as preschoolers. More than just an education that you and your child will love, we’re confident that the Montessori method will benefit your child for years to come. Benefit of Montessori School #1: Academics  Children who have participated in a Montessori education tend to have better academic outcomes than children who haven’t. In particular, researchers found in one study that students who had been enrolled in a Montessori preschool had better academic outcomes than their peers. In other words, students were still reaping the benefits of early immersion in Montessori education years...

Whether you've just moved to McLean with a kindergartener or your little one is getting ready for a kindergarten program, choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Since there are so many schools in and around McLean, VA, the search can seem overwhelming at times. The key to finding the right school is to stay focused on your child's needs and what you're hoping he or she will get out of their education. Evaluating a Kindergarten Program's Class Size For many parents, class size is one of the most important factors in choosing a school. If there are fewer children in your child's class, there are more opportunities for your child to get one-on-one attention from the teacher. This is important if your child is struggling AND if your child is flourishing in certain subjects. With a smaller class size, the teacher...

For parents in Mclean, who are looking for an alternative to traditional kindergarten for their children, kindergarten Montessori schools are an amazing solution. Sitting in desks all day, going over worksheets, isn't a good way for anyone to learn.

Montessori kindergarten, on the other hand, can offer some amazing advantages for your student.

In a Montessori setting, it's understood that learning doesn't always happen on the teacher's schedule. When you send your child to a Montessori school, you'll know that when your child becomes fascinated by a new concept or subject, they'll be able to explore it fully.

Your child will learn to love learning. Far too many students develop their hatred for school beginning at a very young age. They dread going to school in the morning and are excited when they're finally able to come home in the afternoon.

Kindergarten Montessori School Encourages Love of Learning

When you send your child to a kindergarten Montessori school, on the other hand, you'll know that they'll be encouraged to love learning. They'll be able to pursue learning that is of interest to them, enjoy hands-on activities, and embrace their unique educational process.

Your child will be treated as an individual. One of the biggest drawbacks to many public schools is the fact that they're unable to view children as individuals. Instead, children are expected to follow along with the rest of the class, never issuing their own opinions or engaging in any sort of creativity. That's not what you want for your children, and that's why kindergarten Montessori school is the perfect alternative. In a Montessori setting, it's understood that your child is an individual. They'll be able to learn and grow according to their unique needs, rather than being forced to adhere to the pace set by the rest of the class.

The Flexibility of Kindergarten Montessori School

It's amazing how many teachers are utterly inflexible, refusing to bend even the slightest degree to accommodate a child's needs. In a Montessori classroom, you can enjoy the confidence that comes from knowing that teachers are flexible and willing to work with your child's needs.

Learning focuses on the child, not on the convenience of the educators. The entire Montessori classroom is designed with the needs of the child in mind. Furniture is sized especially for them. Books, manipulatives, and other supplies are down where the children can reach them instead of being on a shelf that is only accessible by an adult. By focusing first and foremost on the children, the teacher creates an atmosphere of safety and respect that will help your child improve their education by leaps and bounds.

Teachers guide rather than lecture. Kindergarten students don't learn well when they're sitting in desks, listening to someone lecture about what they're supposed to be doing. They learn best through hands-on activities, actively engaging their motor skills as they work through the learning process. The key to a Montessori education is that teachers are there to provide guidance, not to lecture. While there will be plenty of whole-class activities and opportunities for collaborative learning, the teacher is there as a facilitator, not as a dictator.

Creativity is encouraged. Children are naturally creative, and creative problem-solving skills will carry them much further in life than learning how to repeat rote information. Unfortunately, many public schools choose to focus on information over creativity. In the Montessori classroom, creativity is encouraged and children are able to develop their problem-solving skills as they learn.

If you think a Montessori education might be right for your child, contact us today. We'll help you understand exactly what makes a Montessori education different and how those differences can be an advantage for your child.

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 watch...

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 practical...