Finding the right school for mom and dad is as important as finding the right school for a child. Conventional schools focus predominantly on academic development and growth. PostedJanuary 16, 2017 Is Montessori school right for your child? Do Montessori Schools Support the Development of Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent? Tour the school and ask questions. My child learns best when in an environment that is: 5. When considering education, I:Am open to learning about all methods and want to find one that is the best match for my childBelieve traditional methods are the best optionSome parents prefer the structure and familiarity of a traditional classroom setting. Although it is the perfect fit for many families, it is not the perfect fit for all families. Covering all of the bases of your childs holistic development will enable them to become well-rounded adults in the future. We believe learning should be an exciting and joyful experience for childrensomething they choose to do without the expectation of rewards for academic outcome, participation, or cooperation. The Montessori approach is child-centered encouraging children to be independent and learn at their own pace. 1429 Church St, Decatur, Georgia, 30030, United States. Gifted?. Is a Montessori school right for your child? That said, parents may find that Montessori schools do things a little differently than traditional schools. This is achieved by creating a consistent pathway for learning that begins as early as infancy and carries through to elementary education and even beyond.Therefore, it does not make sense to enroll your child in a Montessori Primary program, for example, if you intend to transfer them to a traditional kindergarten classroom the following year.3. Children are capable of making choices to guide their own learning. The main disadvantage of Montessori schools is how much they differ from traditional schools and the way that most people view academic education and success. One of my children learns a lot from observing the other children he watches and watches others doing an activity, then after some time tries it himself and has generally already mastered it. * Get rid of the chaos and set up cosy spaces at home It is helpful for children to work together on learning as well as school projects. This approach, developed by Maria Montessori in Rome in the early 1900s, is child-centered, with teachers serving as guides. Montessori education is a whole child approach to teaching that encompasses all areas of child developmentcognitive, emotional, social, and physical. (So in preschool, a Montessori classroom might have kids from ages 2 to 5.) The most important outcome for my child is to:Be prepared to achieve in elementary school and beyondBe a happy, well-adjusted, and self-motivated human beingAgain, the Montessori method of education places a greater emphasis on self-paced, independent learning over making sure children advance to the next grade or academic level.We believe learning should be an enjoyable experience that encourages children to work beside and respect one another while at the same time developing their individual personalities and unique talents.6. Is Montessori right for your child? Under 9 years, they could mostly do the activities they wanted as long as they were moving ahead in all areas of the class. Montessori schools believe that children are normally born intelligent, curious, and creative and that all too often, parents and schools make the process of learning stressful rather than natural. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. How is it so different from that of any other teacher? Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. The types of development that Montessori schools focus on are: Teaching the whole child instead of just the academic aspects of a childs development is the most fundamental aspect of the Montessori method. 17. Understanding your childs development can help at home, too. Dona Matthews, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist and the author of four books about children, adolescents and education. In this way, they learn to respect those around them and promote a positive learning environment. The idea that those who learn quickly are more talented misses a basic truth about how children really learn. the Montessori classroom is not. * Create beautiful Montessori activities for their age Ideally, parents should seek out the best fit, not only between their child and a particular school but also between their familys values and goals for their childrens education and what given schools realistically offer. My child learns best when in an environment that is: You will notice that Montessori classrooms have a calm, inviting atmosphere that tends to be quieter than walking into, say, a typical elementary school classroom; there are a couple reasons for this. Your child thrives in an atmosphere where they can direct their learning. The Montessori classroom is a great example. Read on to find out if Montessori school could be for you and your child. Montessori education is a "whole child" approach to teaching that encompasses all areas of child developmentcognitive, emotional, social, and physical. Montessori School: Is It Right For My Child? I am choosing a school to:Prepare my child for a traditional kindergartenPrepare my child academically, socially, and emotionally for school and lifeMontessori education is more about preparing children to become thoughtful and well-adjusted adults and less about making sure they advance to the next grade or academic level. Watch THIS video. The encouragement of the cultivation of peace within their lives and in the world around them. Testing helps to ensure accountability for children, teachers, and schools. One of the aims of the Montessori approach is an independent child, one who learns by following their own curiosities. The largest age group of children who attend Montessori schools are 3- to 6-years-old. In the Montessori school, play is a child's work, says Wana. How Can I Choose a School for My Gifted Child, Why Fights With Your Spouse Are Making Your Teenager Anxious, Positive Parenting and Children's Cognitive Development, 7 Ticking Time Bombs That Destroy Loving Relationships, The Single Best (and Hardest) Thing to Give Up, 3 Ways to Reclaim Your Hope and Happiness. School decision-making is all about individual differences, both across schools, and across children and families. QUIZ: Is a Montessori School Right for Your Child? The most important outcome for my child is to: Be a happy, well-adjusted, and self-motivated human being. Montessori education is a "whole child" approach to teaching that encompasses all areas of child developmentcognitive, emotional, social, and physical. The most important questions to answer, of course, are: Would your child enjoy this environment, could your child thrive in this setting, and is this the right learning environment for your child? At school and home, I want my child to learn to be: To rely on adults for everyday life skills. They suddenly develop a strong desire to form peer groups. 1. Is Montessori right for your child? - Pomerado News A competitive classroom environment stifles creativity. With the right environment, it is possible to nurture that curiosity and desire to learn throughout a person's lifetime. While some children thrive with this approach, others do better with more teacher direction. Are you interested in learning more about Montessori marketing so you can grow your enrollment this year? Montessori at home and positive parenting training, e-courses and webinars for busy parents with an AMI teacher, I getasked a lot, Is Montessori right for my child? Is it only for kids who can plan well and are super independent? Or only for kids that can sit quietly and work and not run about?. Joanne Foster and I wrote a chapter on the complex and dynamic issues involved in school choice in Being Smart about Gifted Education. A wonderful learning environment in a farm-like setting. Maria Montessori was the first Italian female doctor in the early twentieth century. Independent. Because of this, Montessori teachers do their best to assist each child individually and holistically. The Montessori method encourages children to explore their environment, develop their senses, and learn at their own pace. We do not believe that most children need external or artificial structure and pressure to make them learn. While I believe Montessori is suitable for all children, Montessori is not for all families. Connected with internal motivation and interests. At school and home, I want my child to learn to be:Independent and do things for themselvesTo rely on adults for everyday life skillsOne of the primary goals of the Montessori method is to teach children to think and do things for themselves instead of relying on adults for everything.In the words of the American Montessori Society, Given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections, Montessori students grow up to be confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens, accountable to both themselves and their community.Montessori students learn at their own pace through observation, exploration, and experimentation. Why Montessori Is Bad - The Pros and Cons In Preschools This is not right or wrong; it is simply a different way of encouraging children to learn, and one that may or may not be the ideal fit for your family. This is not right or wrong; it is simply a different way of encouraging children to learn, and one that may or may not be the ideal fit for your family.Lets look at the questions from our quiz and which answers resonate most with Montessori parents. If you visit a school and find yourself in love with the look and feel of the schools atmosphere if you can clearly see your child happy and successful in this atmosphere than that school is more likely to be a good fit than one that leaves you confused and uncertain. 4-WEEK E-COURSE Setting up your home Montessori-style, 2-WEEK BOOTCAMP Setting up a Montessori playgroup, 1. Montessori schools share the belief that children are born with a passion for learning. Physical activity is a large part of a Montessori curriculum, with moving and learning being innately linked; there is also a strong focus on multisensory learning. They learn by using their hands, and specialized materials in the Montessori classroom were developed with this consideration. Our first quiz of a series based on the Montessori Method itself. Montessori preschools: What you need to know - Understood Known for individually paced learning and fostering independence, the Montessori Method also encourages empathy, a passion for social justice, and a joy in lifelong learning. This website or its third-party tools use cookies which are necessary to its functioning and required to improve your experience. Through exploration and imagination, they can be encouraged to learn outside of the box instead of through paperwork and strict instruction. Teaching to mastery is key. This will look different for each child, and that is why it is so important to allow each child to discover what this love is in their way, on their own time. Learning about the Montessori Method has been intriguing and fascinating, and I have enjoyed watching the little ones in my life learn and grow from incorporating Montessori elements into our family's lifestyle. It is always at the ready to learn something new. 1. Since Montessori education is based in reality, we find ways to deliver real information to children through storytelling and other similar methods. Honestly, they are the best." It is critically important to allow children to develop a high degree of independence, autonomy, an inner sense of order, and self-motivation. Why Choose Montessori. Each child deserves the time and freedom to grow in all aspects of their being, instead of being forced to focus on rigorous academics for 8 hours each day. They are methodical and can appreciate the many steps involved in practical life lessons in their classrooms. 9. The ten foundational Montessori school principles are: Maria believed that the future of the world depended on childrens ability to live at peace with one another. We show the child how (to do something) and leave him with the materials. Even though early childhood education is the most popular age group for Montessori schools, there are a few high schools around the country that offer Montessori education. Engage Team Feb 17, 2017. Montessori strives to develop happy, engaged learners who exhibit passion and an internalized drive to learn -- a valuable life skill. Daycare vs Montessori: The Difference for Your Child The Montessori method is all about learning through experience. The decision to enroll a child in a particular school should be based on the parents and schools mutual belief that this will be a good fit for the childs personality and learning style, as well as with the familys values and goals. 4. 9. 4. When considering education, I: * Am open to learning about all methods and want to find one that is the best match for my child Believe traditional methods are the best option. Start Quiz . We want to ensure that our child gets into the best schools and colleges. Glen Hoffman and his colleagues at Our Kids have compiled a comprehensive and thoughtful resource for parents who are considering Montessori (and other) school options. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. 1. She imagined a farm school, in which children would work to keep the farm operational, but also contribute to planning and decision making while doing so. Montessori classrooms are inherently suited for serving diverse needs and differentiating to . Traditional education. When this child-centered focus is applied flexibly, each childs studies are based on their interests and abilities, such that the child has a continuous experience of productive challenge in their learning. 1. Call and schedule a visit. It is our job to find ways that allow them to experiment with independence while also providing a safe structure in which they may do so. She observed child development and created a method of education based on their development style, rather than the conventional style of education that fights against natural child instincts. For a Montessori-certified program, make sure that the school is affiliated either with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI or AMI/USA) or the American Montessori Society (AMS). Here are some instances where Montessori school could be a perfect match for your child: Because Montessori schools encourage each student to guide their learning and academic exploration, it is flexible and moldable to many different personality types. 11. Montessori is right for families with a range of communication styles and learning expectations; however, families who are generally disorganized (arrive late in the morning, pick up children at varying times, and have difficulty reading and responding to school correspondence with consistency), may experience frustration in a Montessori setting.