When choosing a Montessori school that's right for your child, be prepared to do your homework. After all, no two schools are exactly alike, regardless of whether they use a Montessori or more traditional approach to education. While most Montessori schools adhere to the same general educational philosophy, some schools apply the Montessori principles more extensively than others. With this knowledge in mind, what exactly should you look for in an ideal Montessori school? Consider the following five characteristics: Professional affiliations. Montessori schools have the option of being affiliated with or accredited by certain national and international Montessori organizations. What organizations should you look for? The most common include the American Montessori Society (AMS), Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and the International Montessori Council (IMC). Remember: Being affiliated with or accredited by one of these organizations isn't mandatory. However, schools that are affiliated with the AMS, for example, demonstrate a certain standard...

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...

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 the...

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 your...

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 still...

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...