Montessori education is one of the most popular educations methods these days and for good reason – it is different from traditional schooling and quite effective for children. Based on the philosophy which belongs to the founder of Montessori method Dr. Maria Montessori, the main principles of which are independence, exploration, and development. In case you are planning your child to attend a Montessori school, then having some little knowledge and preparing yourselves to it would definitely be much easier for the child as well as you. Here are the facts you have to be aware of.

Understanding Montessori Education

Child-Centered Learning: The core concept that is practiced in Montessori education is that the students should be the main active participant in the learning process. Now, let’s identify the Montessori method including such elements as active manipulation of objects, child’s choice of an activity and the surrounds facilitating a child’s development. Spectrum of Montessori classroom is different from traditional classroom; children decide what they want to do and learn and there is less emphasis on rote learning or curriculum-based style of learning.

Mixed-Age Classrooms: In Montessori, the children are grouped in classes and usually, children of different ages are grouped together in a class, for instance, the class will comprise of children of three years’ age difference. This enable young children to learn from other elder children and in the same way elder children to further enhance their learning process by teaching young children. In this context, a professional working environment is promoted that encourages team, coaching and management training alongside an evident company culture.

How to Prepare Your Child for Montessori

Encourage Independence at Home: Montessori education caters for the child’s independence and the ability of the child to make decisions on their own. To prevent this, you can help your child prepare for this by allowing him/her to do things independently from the time they are young starting with simple chores. Such tasks as putting on clothes, fixing a snack or arranging toys can be used to develop the independence expected by the teacher in a Montessori school. The more confident they will be the more prepared they will feel in an environment where independency is highly promoted.

Foster Curiosity and Exploration: Montessori learning and teaching concept emphasizes on the principle that children are learning when they are learning when they are learning instinctively. You can encourage this at home by giving your child the chance to explore with things around him or her, and try to solve things on his or her own. In a form of nature walk, art, or some form of experiment, do not stop your child from asking questions and finding answers in his or her own style. This will foster the confidence and curiosity that Montessori educations aims at imparting in the students.

Create a Consistent Routine: Despite the fact that Montessori has a great deal of freedom for the students of Montessori, the Montessori classroom teaches the students about order and dos and don’ts of their school. Make sure that both the child and the parents get into a routine at home which imitates the class setting and environment. This could translate to set time to wake up from bed, eating time, active time for playing and time to go to bed. Some order makes children feel and think secure and this is very important for children going to school in Montessori.

What Parents Can Expect from Montessori Education

A Focus on Individualized Learning: This is because Montessori education is one of the schools that embrace differences in students and allow each person to learn at their own pace. While traditional methods of education attempt to provide a lesson plan to be followed by all the children, Montessori teachers adapt to a child’s needs and preferences. This strategy TEACHES and encourages a child’s inherent ability and allows a child to move forward as he or she prefers without feeling that he or she needs to cope with the other children.

Hands-On Learning Materials: To support the students’ individual development, Montessori classrooms contain material with which children can actively engage and manipulate. These are usually tangible and enable children to handle objects and learn such subjects as mathematics, language and science among others through the hands-on-contact. For example, in mathematics, instead of writing repetitive work of numberings on papers; children may use counting beads or number rods. Parents should expect their child to come home with the stories of such an engaging learning experience instead of tests, quizzes or assignments.

Encouraging Social and Emotional Development: Unlike what is observed in other learning methods where more focus is given to academics, Montessori education has an extra focus on the child’s social and emotional development. This is because in a mixed-age classroom setting such as cooperation, mentorship and leadership skills are inherent. Children can learn to allow peers do as they wish, solve problems without fighting, and do tasks that involves group work. It was found out that emotional intelligence is discovered in the course of the day to day interactions that foster empathy, patience, understanding; thus the children grow not just academically but also as compassionate human beings.

Conclusion: 

Getting ready for Montessori learning is one of the most interesting processes that call for preparation and participation. With full knowledge of the Montessori approach, select of the right school, and encouragement of your child’s independence and curiosity at home, you will be well-prepared for a smooth transition into this progressive, child-friendly approach of learning. All in all, through Montessori education you are not only preparing your child for school but you are preparing him for life.