Placing your preschool or kindergarten-age son or daughter into the right school is an important decision—and all the more so when you realize your child’s unique personality, traits and approach to life can dramatically impact their experience in school. The Montessori approach can be a perfect way to invite children to become successful in school and in life.
Not sure if Montessori makes sense for your son or daughter? Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you make the right decision for their academic career.
Is Your Child Self-Motivated and Individualistic?
Does your child enjoy quiet activities where they can take charge and be independent? Do they remain focused for hours on an activity that they have chosen to pursue?
What Montessori Offers
The Montessori approach emphasizes this style of independent, self-directed learning, which allows the student to spend time on what they are passionate about discovering. And most Montessori classroom studies are intended to be done either alone or in partnership with one other student, so it’s a good fit for children who enjoy dedicated, solitary work.
Does Your Child Enjoy Working Closely with Adults?
Does your child do well in one-on-one conversations with adults? Do they thrive in situations where they are given individualized guidance?
What Montessori Offers
Rather than lectures and large group activities where the individual student can get lost if they are not outspoken and extroverted, Montessori teachers create a classroom environment which is personalized to your child.
Each student works independently, and is given one-on-one attention, along with time for self-directed discovery. Many children appreciate this balance of independence and adult input.
Does Your Child Love Hands-On Learning?
Is your child an experimenter—someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty as they learn through trial and error? Do they enjoy the scientific approach—testing, observing, and learning?
What Montessori Offers
If so, they’ll like being in a Montessori classroom. In our classes, students engage in well-planned hands-on activities designed to help them discover how the world works. Maria Montessori and many other early childhood educators have shown that young children benefit from learning environments where they can develop fine motor skills and use their five senses.
That’s why we provide beautiful, colorful learning materials designed to feel comfortable in tiny hands—so your child stays mentally engaged and eager to discover new skills and knowledge.
Do They Like Spending Time with Children of Different Ages?
Does the opportunity to engage with older children inspire yours to learn new things? When paired with a younger child, does your son or daughter proudly take on the role of mentor?
What Montessori Offers
Such students thrive in a Montessori school, where children of different ages are encouraged to interact in day-to-day activities. As Maria Montessori has found, and studies have proven out, mixed-age classes can greatly benefit students.
Not only do the children enjoy learning from each other, and mentoring and being mentored by peers, but they also develop their social graces and teamwork skills through collaborating with students of different ages.
Is Your Child Active, Needing to Move Around Regularly?
Has your child found it hard to sit in a large group, staring quietly at a teacher giving a lecture? Are they highly active, doing best in environments where they are free to move about?
What Montessori Offers
Many parents ask us about this, wondering if a Montessori class would be too “sedate” for an active child—but it’s actually the opposite. With fellow students engaged in independent learning, our instructors can give each child individual attention.
Your son or daughter will have many opportunities to get up, move about, and switch activities as they learn to develop concentration skills. This can be very beneficial for active children.
How Engaged in Learning Is Everyone at Home?
Do you, as a parent, love making time for fun, educational activities with your son or daughter? Can there be shared time of discovery at home for both you and your child?
What Montessori Offers
While a lot of learning takes place within the classroom during the school day, a successful Montessori education is one that happens all the time. And the Montessori approach depends on a balance of self-motivation and guidance, freedom and clear boundaries.
So, consider what you and your family like to do at home, on weekends, and during holidays. If you share discovery time together often, are comfortable with allowing your children to explore, and are relaxed yet organized, Montessori will likely be a great fit for your young student and you as a parent too.
Does Your Child Do Well in Warm, Predictable Environments?
Is your child most comfortable and at ease when in situations that are welcoming and cozy? Do they thrive when they have a routine that is reliable, so they can relax and feel free to explore?
What Montessori Offers
In an authentic Montessori school (like ours!), students are placed in mixed-age groups with the same teacher to cover a set curriculum over the course of two-three years at a time. Many children bloom in this type of environment, where they know what to expect every day—which helps them to relax and engage in new discoveries.
They also learn to build relationships they can count on, and feel free to learn more about themselves in the process. This consistency and comfort can help your son or daughter grow into a poised, confident adult.
Discover the Joys of Montessori for Your Child
Great Montessori learning starts with an appealing, interactive curriculum that grounds your child in the foundational skills and knowledge they need for academic success. At Primary Montessori Day School, we take pride in providing a genuine, enriching environment where children in the Rockville, MD area can thrive.
Check out what we teach and offer in our curriculum to equip your child with a lifelong love of learning.