FAQ
Why should I send my child to Preschool?
Most educators and psychologists today agree that the single most important period in the development of a person’s intelligence occurs between birth and age five. A child’s mind is extremely open and his curiosity is at a peak during these early years. When properly nourished and stimulated, the child’s mind forms patterns for learning that serve him well throughout his life. The Montessori system of preschool education has proven to be one of the most effective and fastest growing methods to guide a child through these critical years.
What is the difference between Day Care, Nursery School and Preschool?
Day Care Centers are generally for the purpose of caring for children on an all-day basis. Nursery Schools are generally for experience in getting along with people and for play. Preschools are interested in educational experiences combined with friends and play.
How is a Montessori Preschool different from other Preschools?
In most preschools, the children are taught educational ideas in a group by a teacher. In a Montessori Preschool the children learn ideas as they work independently with the many materials in the school room.
What is the Montessori Method of Education?
The Montessori Method of education is basically a unique approach to learning. Rather than “teaching” the child ideas, a classroom is designed to stimulate the child’s interest and help their understanding and learning capacities — with little or no adult intervention.
What is the purpose of the Montessori Method?
The main purpose of the Montessori Method is to develop a classroom where the child can unfold and develop his inner self. As this occurs, their love of life and learning expands continuously.
Who started the Montessori Method?
Dr. Maria Montessori, over 80 years ago, was Italy’s first female medical doctor. Using her scientific background, she began observing children in the schools of Rome. Based on her unbiased observations, she developed unique materials, a child-centered school room, and was one of the first people to modernize educational thought by stressing respect for the child, freedom of expression, self-education and training through the use of movement and the senses.
What is in the Montessori classroom?
The Montessori classroom is a child-sized world. Whatever is in the world outside can be incorporated meaningfully in the Montessori classroom. To a child, the world is unmanageable if it is too big, too complex and too confusing. By careful selection of materials by the teacher, a classroom setup is that which allows the child a place to explore life o a level they can understand. The materials or exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. This prepared classroom entices the child to proceed at their own pace from simple activities to more complex ones. Through this process, the child’s center around Practical Life, Sensoral, Math, Language, Geography, History, Science, Art, Music, Drama and Dance.
How do children get along in the classroom?
As the children develop their sense of pride in their “work”, a feeling of confidence, well-being and joy begins to show itself in the child. A “new child” is born. A classroom of Montessori children are a joy to watch. There seems to be a spirit of respect, love and cooperation among the children that too often is not found.
What does the Montessori teacher do?
The Montessori teacher sets up the classroom activity. She carefully plans the classroom in the interests of the children and she helps the children progress from one activity to the next. She is trained to deal with each individual child individually, allowing them to choose from many activities within their range of ability. She stands back while a child is working and allows them the satisfaction of their own discovery.
With all the freedom, isn’t there confusion?
The idea of freedom in the classroom is a freedom within limits. A child is allowed to work freely so long as he does not disturb others. Actually, the children having the freedom to follow their interests are generally happy and busily involved in their work.
How to Montessori Children adjust to public schools?
Children who have been in a Montessori classroom are generally very flexible and adjust quite easily to the public school situation. They are usually better students and spend their time in better ways because of their self-direction and positive attitude towards learning.