When it comes to child education, many parents look for methods that will not only teach their children the traditional subjects they will need in the future, but also meaningful ways of becoming confident and independent. This is where Montessori Schools come into play. In this blog, we are exploring how the Montessori method can greatly contribute to your child’s development and learning.
Understanding Montessori Education
In most traditional schools, children follow a rigid curriculum of a wide variety of subjects that they will have to learn in a particular year. Classrooms are often organized in rows where students face a blackboard while a teacher explains the subject and requests tasks. The Montessori method, however, proposes something different. Teachers are seen as guides who will encourage children to explore subjects at their own pace. With well-designed activities, topics are learned in an engaging way, allowing kids to see subjects as something meaningful, and not just a step for the next year. This greatly contributes to the child’s academic and social development.
How Montessori Fosters Independence in Children
Self-paced Learning
One of the ways Montessori schools encourage independence in children is by establishing a self-paced learning environment. In Montessori schools, children are free to choose their activities, making them responsible for their own learning. This is fundamental to ensure children can develop critical thinking and decision-making skills. In a controlled environment guided by experienced educators, children are not only able to learn, but also see the impact of their choices in their learning process.
Hands-on Activities
In Montessori classrooms, hands-on activities are prioritized rather than theoretical exposition and repetition, which are often common in traditional schools. Additionally, practical life-skills are also part of a Montessori education system, meaning kids are encouraged to improve abilities such as cleaning, handwashing, pouring, dressing, self care and more. Such approach greatly contributes to the development of a child’s independence.
Encouragement of Problem Solving
In a traditional school environment, children are often given the solution for their problems and learning comes from repetition and rigidly controlled activities. Montessori schools, however, believe that children should be empowered to find their own solutions for their challenges. To achieve that, teachers act as guides who will help their students come up with their own answers. That way, children can understand what they can achieve without the intervention of their “masters”, which helps them develop independence and resourcefulness.
Adapted Environment
A Montessori Classroom will have an environment completely adapted to children. This means ensuring children can reach every necessary object on their own. To make this possible, shelves, furniture and tools are all scaled to the size of the kids. This reduces their need to ask for help when performing tasks, which consequently contributes to their independence.
Nursery School in Pickering
Looking for a nursery school that can provide an engaging and meaningful learning environment for your child? Colwell Nursery School & Kindergarten is here for you. With an experienced team of professionals and well-designed programs, we can offer the support your child needs to develop their independence and self-esteem. Book a consultation and let us show you how we can contribute to your child’s education. We look forward to hearing from you!