If you have read my blog from the other day about questions concerning preschool and your child, you would know that I ended the blog by stating I would write more about the different types of preschools out there. I am aware of three different types of preschools, one of them being a Montessori preschool. I will discuss this type in today’s blog and focus on the other two in separate blogs at a later date. Be looking for them!
One choice people have for preschool and their child is a Montessori school. I have looked at these types of preschools in depth and have found a lot of interesting information that I want to share with you. This way you can determine if this will be the type of preschool that you wish to send your child to.
If you are looking for a Montessori school and want Montessori trained teachers, then you must look for them. Evidently, any preschool can call themselves a Montessori school, but true Montessori schools have trained and certified Montessori teachers and supplies developed by Montessori. A Montessori school can be found anywhere: a church, school buildings and even in people’s homes. To read more about where to find a Montessori school and what to look for in teachers and administrator’s, look here.
The Montessori school philosophy is as follows: The child is his or her best judge as to what they want to learn and how fast he or she wants to learn it. It is basically a child-led learning environment with no competition in a supportive, hands-on atmosphere. Children are also taught life-skills such as buttoning clothes, helping to cook and clean, put toys away and other skills that promote independence. These skills are taught by working repeatedly with materials that children find intriguing and interesting.
You will not see a teacher’s desk in a Montessori classroom, but you will find lots of child-size work areas that focus on the life-skills above and the following:
-Sensory: Activities that allow a child to order and classify objects.
-Math: Uses manipulatives to teach number concepts, symbols, sequencing and memory of facts.
-Language Arts: Focuses on reading, written language, children’s literature all using hands-on activities and manipulatives.
-Culture: Teaches the basics in geography, history, and science activities. Also implements music and physical education activities.
Does this type of preschool seem like one your child may enjoy? Does it seem like a right fit for your child? If so, try looking into a Montessori preschool for him. Don’t forget to tune in later for two other blogs on types of preschool choices for your child.