When education becomes more than a cookie-cutter curriculum, it develops into a true learning experience. The Montessori Method embodies this idea with a proven system used in diverse cultures across the globe. Focusing on a child's natural curiosity and desire to learn about their world, Montessori programs create a learning environment like no other. Developed by physician and educator Dr. Maria Montessori, the method that bears her name has been used successfully for over 100 years. Dr. Montessori developed this method with scientific observations of her students from childhood to adulthood. With this information, she was able to develop a perfected style of education with three key components: Student Choice A Montessori trained teacher will create a classroom with a range of activity options and the ability to move freely about the room. This learning environment encourages student independence and freedom, while the limits retain a sense of order and prevent...
If you've got a special toddler in your life, there are probably times when you want to buy him or her a gift, whether it is for the holidays, a birthday, or just because. While there are a lot of choices that make noise, light up, and seem like fun, those are often the toys that are quickly discarded. Sometimes some of these simple gifts are used the most, and they complement a toddler Montessori education, based on the premise that children learn through hands-on, self-directed learning. Blocks. Any type, whether they are small wooden ones, large cardboard ones, or even some you make yourself out of milk cartons are terrific for toddlers. Not only can they have a blast making simple structures, they will love knocking them down too. They will also use them in a variety of ways, lining them up, grouping them, and pretending they are something else...
A Montessori education has proven to develop children's coordination, concentration, independence and other great qualities in a more effective manner. Students are encouraged to become "seekers of knowledge." Their self-judgment and correction will develop while attending a Montessori program. As the students get older, they will learn how to judge their work and learn from their mistakes. Montessori students become self-directed learners which will greatly benefit them as they grow older. Check out the many other benefits a Montessori education can provide here! Contact us today!
When you choose a school with a Montessori approach to childcare, you are choosing to give your child many advantages over other types of preschools and daycare environments. Here are three big boosts you are giving your toddler when you choose the Montessori method. The Montessori approach builds self confidence. Kids in a Montessori environment are taught to focus on what they can do rather than what they can't. The Montessori education model encourages teachers and other adults to allow children to try new things and not be afraid of failure. Kids and their parents are often surprised by how much children can accomplish when they are given the opportunity. The Montessori approach encourages working together. A Montessori classroom is set up with several different age groups learning together. This is important because older children learn to teach and younger children get the benefit of the experience of older kids that...
This week our eager, creative kindergarteners happily re-examined some beautiful autumn leaves while we read Lois Ehlert's Red Leaf Yellow Leaf. Then I handed back the colorful tissue collages they had made two weeks ago. They were skeptical when I asked them to turn over their papers, trace two leaves on the back, then cut them out. I was most impressed with the tenacity and determination with which each and every child tackled both the tracing and the cutring, as neither was an easy task. The best thing of all was the way friends stepped up and offered to help one another, by holding the leaves steady for each other as they traced. There was a true spirit of cooperation and focused effort in the room all morning. When the children flipped over their cut leaf shapes, they were delighted by the colorful suprise on the other side. The final step was...
Children are quite curious from the ages 3-5. It is critical in this timeframe to develop a child's eagerness to learn which will greatly benefit them down the road as they get older. A Montessori preschool program will develop their social and emotional skills. This is a very important key to academic success before they enter elementary school. Preschool will be the driving force behind helping a child learn to read and love to learn. Check out the entire article on Herald & Review about preschool being the foundation for a child's academic growth. Contact us today!
Last week in art class we were inspired by a book of poems about the seasons called "Red Sings From Treetops." The poem about fall got the children thinking about fall colors and their associations to them. The children learned about the "wet on wet" watercolor technique. Each group started with one of the primary colors, then did a second painting where they added a color to create a secondary color. The children learned how to use a delicate touch while experimenting with brushes, sponges, cotton swabs and paper towels, and learned or reinforced what they knew about color mixing. These fluid watercolor paintings will be used as backgrounds for future work, so stay tuned. I told the children to be keen observers of leaves in the weeks ahead. You can help them notice the various shapes, sizes, and colors. We will be incorporating these observations into our art during our...
Brooksfield sits on about 5 acres and we are very fortunate to have organic gardens throughout our campus. Gardening is webbed into our curriculum on a weekly basis. Last week some of our students got to dig for potatoes with Mary, our gardener! We dug up quite a few red and white potatoes (the larger ones are at the bottom of the pots). The students did a great job digging and washing the potatoes. Students played the one potato two potato counting game, and read the story Two Old Potatoes and Me. We then got to eat smashed potatoes with olive oil with our lunch! Thanks to Virginia and her students from last year for planting these potatoes in the spring for us! They grew well over the summer and are fun to harvest and eat in the fall!
Your toddler is your world. Yes, the sun does rise and set in him, at least in your universe. He is walking, starting to talk, and gaining a degree of independence. Now is the time to consider enrolling him in a daycare program. Many reasons present themselves for considering a toddler daycare program . Mclean offers a wide variety of choices. Sorting through each one is both time-consuming and essential to the health and well-being of your little one, as well as to your personal peace of mind. No reason for this process is more important than assuring you choose a quality program that fits your goals for your child and your child's future. Look for quality indicators in these areas: health and safety considerations, appropriate teacher-child interactions, child-directed learning, aesthetically pleasing environments, parent involvement and program philosophy. It is always a good idea to seek references from like-minded parents. How...
