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 educators...

  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 make...

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. Montessori...

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. Locks and Keys...

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 moveable...

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 questions...

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 Montessori...

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...

Teaching Adapting to Students Young children are full of energy, and are constantly on the move. When they reach the age of attending preschool or elementary school, many parents hear comments from educators that children have a hard time sitting still and doing seatwork. While some may be quick to assign a medical label, consider the possibility that the child may just be a kinesthetic learner. A Montessori school can help assess your child's learning style and adapt to it appropriately. There are 4 main types of learning styles. Reader-writers perform the best with traditional teaching methods, as they truly enjoy getting lost in a book or writing a story. Assign them a packet of worksheets and they are truly in their element. Visual learners need images, graphics, maps, charts, and other visual aids to process information. Auditory learners do best when they can hear and speak about what they are...

A desire to bring about a child’s natural yearning to learn more.  Acquiring knowledge should not be intimidating or criticized during the process for a young mind, as every child has the embedded curiosity to expand their thoughts in an error-free environment. This has made the Montessori Method grow exponentially in popularity for the young developing mind.  Brooksfield School proudly incorporates this learning platform. Contact Brooksfield School for any information at all regarding the Montessori Method or any general questions about their programs. Follow the Rhythm of the Child: The Montessori Method Excerpt from Brook’s Field of Dreams, 1996 Your child is like a seed growing into a flower.  The Montessori Method allows the child to grow at his or her own natural pace, and we should therefore try to let go and not be so concerned with instant results by digging out that “seed” to check on its daily development....