Today’s parents know that an education that prepares their children for success in life involves much more than the 3Rs — reading, writing and arithmetic. These days, a few other things children need exposure to for academic success include studying tech and engineering, even the arts, commonly referred to as STEM or STEAM programs. And it’s pretty common for parents to wonder how Montessori techniques fits those needs.
Fortunately for busy parents in and around Rockville, Maryland, our skilled and caring teachers at Primary Montessori Day School know all about STEM and STEAM — and how to incorporate them into our daily studies. The truth is, Montessori has been consistently ahead of the curve in ensuring your son or daughter have the best education to set them up for lifelong success.
Discover how a Montessori education positions your child for success in every area of life. Here’s a closer look at how STEM studies and Montessori are actually a perfect match to prepare your child to love learning for a lifetime.
What is STEM and STEAM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The “A” in STEAM adds in Arts to the mix.
Simply put, STEM and STEAM programs are more than just teaching facts; they’re a philosophy of how to link various areas of study and ensuring students are prepared to excel in a society where technology is increasing every day. By emphasizing educational experiences that tie concepts together, students develop skills valuable in a technologically inclined workforce:
- Creative problem-solving
- Collaborative teamwork
- Experimentation
- Disciplined use of technology
- And more
Why does STEM matter for your child’s education?
While it’s easy to find any school offering simple math and science, it’s only recently that schools have made a more consistent effort to promote in-depth, practical opportunities for children to study engineering and technology. These two areas are booming in growth in the workplace, and they’re necessary for your child to be well positioned for success later in life.
In addition, arts programs are often the first areas that get cut out of tight educational budgets. Yet regular practice of arts like music and drawing encourage a host of abilities that set young children up for academic accomplishments and social graces alike:
- Reading and writing fiction encourages the development of empathy.
- Using fingers and tools to draw and paint encourages fine motor skills.
- Creating unique art pieces encourages individuality and out-of-the-box thinking.
- Conceptual discoveries tie into math and science—such as learning about lines and angles and fractions.
These interactive, movement-based, exploratory ways of discovery are not just a trend. They are actually the basis of Maria Montessori’s approach. A child’s physical movement and active exploration of their environment is essential to helping them learn. The more they do this, the better they learn — which means they are positioned to understand the more complex areas of STEM at an earlier age. And this equips them to step into career paths later in life that feature STEM.
With teacher guidance, we help our students discover new areas of interest, such as STEM related activities. (Check out the areas we serve and the programming we offer.)
Do STEM and Montessori really go together?
Of course! In fact, it’s a perfect match, and here’s why. Historically, schools have often taken the approach that each subject is separate and can be taught by rote. English and math never meshed. History and science stayed totally separate.
But children often learn best when they can explore, experiment, and bring concepts together. That’s a reality that Maria Montessori understood quite well, and it’s something we bring to our classes here at Primary Montessori. Our teachers provide guidance to your child that invites the type of programming STEM/STEAM is known for:
- Opportunities for hands-on discovery
- Learning through experimentation
- Allowing for students to explore areas that draw their interest
- Bringing concepts together to create a more holistic academic experience
- Development of practical, real-world skills that move beyond rote learning
Ways that Montessori provides STEM experiences for your child
At Primary Montessori, our teachers offer an age-appropriate curriculum that encompasses your child’s innate curiosity about the world, including their interests in science, art, engineering, technology, and math.
We offer many daily activities that tie in directly to learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. Some learning activities your child may enjoy at Primary Montessori (and at home) can include:
- Planting a seed and observing its growth from seed to sprout to leaves and flowers
- Creating and observing rain gauges to learn about natural processes such as evaporation
- Blowing bubbles and watching how they respond to different environmental elements, such as breezes and different surface materials the bubbles may touch
- Learning about the design of things by playing with materials designed to nest into one another or connect with one another in a clear pattern
- Categorizing objects into groups that share the same trait (size, shape, color)
The possibilities are endless for incorporating STEM or STEAM into your child’s learning. With our teachers offering thoughtful guidance, Primary Montessori equips your child to do well in a technologically-savvy future.
Discover the Advantages of an Authentic Montessori Education
Finding the right school for your son or daughter requires diligent effort—and it’s well worth the time. Yet it can be frustrating to sort through all the schools out there to find the one that best promotes your child’s future success.
At Primary Montessori, we understand that challenge, which is why we offer genuine Montessori techniques taught by teachers who are certified and experienced in the authentic Montessori method that is proven to help children learn and grow. Our process is streamlined and simple:
- Visit our school.
- Fill out an application.
- See your child thrive.
Of course, seeing is believing—so we invite you to come and see us in person, talk with our caring staff, and discover how Primary Montessori Day School can prepare your child for a lifetime of success. Schedule a tour today.