A Quarterly Newsletter for the Parkside Community

“Today we need an education that is about human development, about all the great things that humans do, because knowledge is not enough. It is about looking at children and saying: with what we’ve got, let’s create something that’s going to help them flourish.” Watch this beautiful video created in collaboration between Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and BrightVibes on how a Montessori approach to education prepares children for a life of caring.

Montessori education helps your child develop independence and a sense of empathy and social justice. Here , the American Montessori Society shares more benefits of choosing this method of education as well as parent testimonials on what makes Montessori special. This in-depth article from Letty Rising and Trillium Montessori also examines 15 (of the many!) benefits of providing your child with a Montessori education. From inspiring a lifelong love of learning to cultivating long-term happiness and wellbeing, the gifts of Montessori are endless.

A Quarterly Newsletter for the Parkside Community

You know Montessori classrooms are different than most. You’ve heard the rumors: children run around doing whatever they please. It’s all play and no work. Or perhaps you’ve heard the opposite: our structures are so rigid we stifle creativity and natural childhood behavior. What’s it really like? We can practically guarantee that once you step inside a classroom for yourself, sit quietly in a corner, and observe the children and adults at work, your impressions will be transformed. We encourage parents to do so whenever possible; the children are used to visitors and we have tips on how your presence can be unobtrusive to them but informative for you. In the meantime, this post will give you some idea of what you might see in a typical, high fidelity Montessori classroom. Arrival From the moment they step in the door, expectations are different for Montessori children, even as young as toddlers. Children are responsible for hanging their own bags and coats on hooks. They learn to change their own shoes, with some classrooms requiring that children wear either slippers or a special pair of shoes designated for indoor school use only. This is done in part to keep the classrooms clean, but also to give children a sense that their classroom feels more comfortable and home-like. Guides greet students upon their arrival. They often make a point of shaking a child’s hand, looking them in the eye, and saying their name along with a friendly hello. By doing this, we are intentionally modeling polite human interactions. Before long, the children learn how to greet us back, and they are even able to apply this skill outside of school. The Work Period Also called the morning work cycle, this period of time is a hallmark of the Montessori approach. We believe that children need a longer stretch of time to involve themselves deeply in independent work, so we honor this need by providing an uninterrupted block of time each morning. How much time? That depends on the age of the child. Typically, for children ages 3 and up, the work period is between two and three hours long. It’s not quite so long for younger children, and older children may have a second work period in the afternoon. During this time children work independently while guides give small group or independent lessons. Sometimes it may appear that a child is playing, and while that is true, certain types of play are critical to learning. It is also important to note that Dr. Montessori developed her educational materials to appeal to children, so what may look like a simple puzzle could actually be a manipulative biology diagram. What looks like pretty colored beads are, in fact, tools for exploring complex mathematical concepts. Montessori children are able to make a lot of choices during this time. We allow freedom of movement: that is, they may sit where they like, stand and walk around the room if their bodies require a break, and use the restroom safely without needing an adult’s permission. We provide a range of seating options as well. Some children prefer to work alone or with others, some like to sit at a table or on the floor. Adults appreciate having choices while they work, and we believe children should be afforded the same respect. What types of work might you see? You may be surprised to see even very young children working on the following subjects: Math Language Biology Geography Practical life skills Sensory refinement (up to age 6) Geometry Socializing Montessori education takes the perspective that we must nurture the whole child. This is a popular concept with parents and teachers across a wide variety of settings, but Montessori schools have structures built into their programs that allow for deeper exploration and support of the social self. The aspects of choice are one way we support children’s social development. Rather than assigning seats or requiring children to work alone or in pairings that are predetermined by adults, we generally let children choose if they would rather work independently or cooperatively, and with whom they would like to work. That being said, in any group of people, some personalities work well together, while others do not; we help guide children to differentiate between what makes a positive complementary work partner for them, and what constitutes a fun friendship that can be developed outside the work period. As children grow older, they begin to place a stronger emphasis on friendships. The process of figuring out what healthy friendships should look and feel like is a major work of children in the elementary years. Attachments form, and children come to rely on the company of one another. Of course, another reality of these years is that all children will face social conflict at some point or another. One benefit of a Montessori environment is that the guides are able to set aside time and space to help children navigate conflict. We teach mediation strategies, inclusivity, and conflict resolution. We are able to assist children both proactively and reactively. We often use stories to teach children important lessons about social skills. Role play is another tool used in classrooms when negative patterns begin to form; when children are able to have fun and remove themselves personally from an experience, they can learn positive approaches to resolving common dilemmas. The Guide’s Role Another often surprising element of the Montessori classroom is the role our guides take. To begin with, they are typically referred to as guides, rather than teachers, as we believe the name is a far better descriptor of the task. Instead of feeding children a stream of information we expect them to internalize, we lay a path before them, open the door, and give them the tools to explore and learn. In the primary years (ages 3-6), lessons are usually given individually. This allows the guide to give their full attention to the child before them, and to honor their individual needs. In the elementary years, lessons are typically given to small groups of children, honoring their developmental desire to work alongside their peers. Another delicate task of the Montessori guide is to know when to step in and assist a child, and when to stand back and allow them to find a solution themselves. Generally speaking, we tend to take the latter approach. We believe that children are capable of much more than we often give them credit for, and given the opportunity, they will rise to the occasion. This approach helps build resilience and confidence. Lastly, the guide’s job is to observe. We watch the children in our care to learn which skills they have mastered, which they are progressing in, and which they may require additional support with. Though we may not always intervene, we notice what they are doing, both academically and socially. We take copious notes to inform our practice, record their progress, and to share our findings with parents. Montessori guides don’t consider themselves the center of the classroom. We are merely there to support the learning of the children. Still curious? Good! Call today to schedule a time to observe. See a Montessori classroom in action for yourself. We know it will be an amazing experience. Thank you to Nido Marketing for this post.

How does a parent prepare their child for an unpredictable future? Don’t we all just want to give them every possible advantage? How do we define success in our children’s lives? Is it about being able to provide for oneself or is it finding joy in the work we do? Is it about contributing to our communities or perhaps continuing to learn throughout our lives? Couldn’t it (shouldn’t it) be a little bit of all of those things? Goals We think Montessori is one beautiful way to work toward all of these goals, and we are prepared to make some bold statements: Montessori gives children a strong understanding of basic math and language skills, starting earlier than most methods and using materials that support their development and methods that correlate with current research findings. Building a sense of independence and confidence is a major component of what we do. We know that children of all ages are fully capable of doing more for themselves than they are often given credit for. We have learned to sit back, observe, and assist only when necessary. This allows children to grow in incredible ways, amazing their parents (and frankly, us, too!). Respect for and connection to the earth is built directly into our curriculum, especially in the elementary grades. We know that around age 6,children start to think about where they fit into the bigger picture. We teach them about the universe, our solar system, the beauty of our planet, and the variety of life on it, just at a time when they are seeking those answers. Choice and freedom are important for all human beings. We give both to children because we believe they are capable of knowing what they need and want, and the more practice they have the better they will get at making decisions when we are not there to support them. We value teaching responsibility and time management skills. This goes hand in hand with focus and attentiveness. The ability to make choices about one’s learning must be balanced with accountability; as the children in our classrooms get older, they know there are certain expectations. For example, they may be able to choose the order of their work, but they know that they have to do grammar at some point during a specific time period, even if it’s not their favorite subject. Rather than drilling arbitrary facts into children and forcing them to memorize information that may not serve them in the future, we take a different approach. All children are exposed to a wide variety of basic scientific, geographical, and historical information, and are given extensive opportunities to more deeply explore the topics that they find fascinating. Graduates of Montessori schools go on to be successful in other settings, whether they go on to attend other private schools or their local public schools. They tend to view the world a little more creatively than the rest of us, and their contributions are often felt throughout society. There are many notable public figures that credit their early Montessori education to the successes they experienced later in life. To learn more about some of these people, take a look at this article . Research Montessori-specific research is a fairly new field, but the initial results in recent years are fascinating. One study conducted in Hartford, Connecticut, took a look at preschool students in a public Montessori magnet school. Federal magnet grants are awarded to public schools who commit to special, high-quality educational programming (in this case, Montessori) in an attempt to create a socioeconomically diverse school community within an urban setting. In the study, two groups of preschool-aged children were observed over time: 70children in the Montessori setting and 71 who were in other settings. While the children tested similarly at the onset of the study, eventually the Montessori children outperformed the others academically, as well as notable increases in their enjoyment of work, social understanding, mastery orientation, and executive function. Subgroups within the study showed some other interesting findings that suggest Montessori education might help close the gaps on certain factors that typically hinder children’s success (such as income and executive functioning). Another study in public Montessori schools in Milwaukee concluded that a Montessori education has long-lasting positive benefits for children. The study also determined that when Montessori-educated children eventually transitioned into more traditional educational settings they were successful and the transition was positive. While there are other great studies out there, we will touch on just one more here . This study took a look at the effects of a high fidelity Montessori environment versus a low fidelity Montessori or conventional classroom environment. Children who learned in a classic Montessori program in which the guides adhered to traditional methods made significantly higher gains during the school year than their counterparts in conventional classrooms or Montessori classrooms that were supplemented with other types of learning materials and methods. Community Montessori schools are also something unexpected: they provide a community for more than just the children. Parents, educators, students, and local community members gather together in support of common goals. They work together, socialize together, and find ways to solve problems together. In our society today, many people have lost the sense of community that is so important to our well being; Montessori schools serve an important function of not just educating children, but giving like-minded adults a way to connect and form meaningful relationships. Thank you to Nido Marketing for this post.

A Quarterly Newsletter for the Parkside Community

Montessori education is a “whole child” approach to teaching that encompasses all areas of child development—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. It encourages children and adolescents to learn at their own pace in an environment that fosters independence, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. That said, parents may find that Montessori schools do things a little differently than traditional schools. 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. Let’s look at the questions from this quiz and which answers resonate most with Montessori parents. This will give you a better understanding of the Montessori classroom so you can decide if it is right for your child. 1. Children learn best when they are: Given rewards, like stickers Connected with internal motivation and interests We believe learning should be an exciting and joyful experience for children—something they choose to do without the expectation of rewards for academic outcome, participation, or cooperation. Instead of stickers or other prizes, the reward a child gets from the Montessori classroom is the self-assuredness that comes from reaching a new level of independence or learning a new skill. 2. I am choosing a school to: Prepare my child for a traditional kindergarten Prepare my child academically, socially, and emotionally for school and life Montessori 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. 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. 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 Some parents prefer the structure and familiarity of a traditional classroom setting. This is absolutely fine. However, because children tend to learn in different ways and at different paces, they often benefit from being in an environment that allows them to learn in the way that works best for them. The Montessori classroom is a great example. A parent whose child may thrive in a Montessori school setting is one who believes in giving their child the freedom to make choices and guide their own learning journey in an environment that fosters imagination and independent thinking. 4. My child learns best when in an environment that is: Orderly, bright, and peaceful Noisy and full of visual stimulation 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. First, because Montessori students are given the freedom to choose their own activities, they are more likely to be fully engrossed in those activities and less likely to be asking the teacher for direction. Children move at their own pace throughout the classroom, and teachers are there primarily to ensure children are engaged and learning. Second, because quieter environments have been shown to foster quality learning, Montessori students are encouraged to speak softly with each other and with their teachers. In this way, they learn to respect those around them and promote a positive learning environment. 5. The most important outcome for my child is to: Be prepared to achieve in elementary school and beyond Be a happy, well-adjusted, and self-motivated human being Again, 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. The ideal school schedule for my child would be: A few hours a couple of days a week A consistent schedule 5 days a week The Montessori program is thoughtfully structured to help children maximize their potential in an environment where they feel content and well adjusted, and a big part of that comes from consistency. Children thrive on routines and knowing what to expect each day, which is why families who can commit to a consistent, 5-day-a-week schedule are those who benefit most from a Montessori education. 7. It is important that your child completes worksheets and memorizes facts at school. True False Although often used in traditional school settings, worksheets and similar memorization and repetition tools are rarely (if ever) used in the Montessori classroom. We believe children learn more effectively through hands-on experience and independent exploration rather than regurgitating facts onto a sheet of paper. Students are also more likely to retain important concepts when they are able to apply them to different situations and test their validity for themselves. 8. You want your child to: Learn at their own pace and be challenged according to their unique ability Learn according to a curriculum based upon their age In a traditional education setting, parents are often told that a child is not “reading at their level” or that they should be “further along by now” in a certain subject or task because of their age. In the Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to learn at their own pace and given the time and space necessary to fully understand each concept. Children naturally want to learn and understand things, and giving them the freedom and the opportunity to do so is the key to helping them achieve their learning goals. 9. I want my child to be in an environment that: Encourages them to explore their interests, without interruption Has an external curriculum taught at specific intervals each day While traditional classrooms are very structured in terms of time (e.g. 30 minutes each day for Math, 30 minutes each day for Reading, etc.) the Montessori classroom is not. Instead, children can choose which activities they want to participate in and for how long, so as not to interrupt the learning and exploration process. 10. At school and home, I want my child to learn to be: Independent and do things for themselves To rely on adults for everyday life skills One 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. Although it is the perfect fit for many families, it is not the perfect fit for all families. If you are interested in learning more about Montessori education and its unique benefits, we encourage you to schedule a tour or visit our blog to learn more. Thank you to Nido Marketing for this quiz and post.