montessori education

How can preschool benefit my child?

Most educators and psychologists agree that the single most important period in the development of a person’s intelligence occurs between birth and age 5. Children’s minds are extremely absorbent and their curiosity is at its peak during these early years. When properly nourished and stimulated, children’s minds form patterns for learning that serve them throughout their lives. The Montessori system of preschool education has proven to be one of the most effective and fastest growing methods to guide children through these critical years.

How does a Montessori preschool differ from others?

In most preschools, children are taught educational concepts in a group. In a Montessori preschool, children learn concepts spontaneously as they work independently with the many materials in the environment. There is always a mixture of age groups to allow children to both learn from and teach one another.

What is the purpose of the Montessori Method?

The main purpose of the Montessori method is to create an environment where children can develop spontaneously and manifest the greater person within. According to Maria Montessori, “The child is the father of man.” As children begin to unfold this inner self, their love of life and learning expands continuously.

At what age should a child enter a Montessori school?

The optimal age is between 2 ½ and 3 ½ years of age. At this stage, children are in particularly sensitive periods of development. That said, we consider applications from students ages 2 (as long as they are toilet trained) through 6th grade.

What are the “sensitive periods”?

Dr. Montessori’s term “sensitive periods” refers to the ages/periods when a child shows unusual capabilities in acquiring particular skills. Psychologists refer to such times as “critical learning periods” in which a child is psychologically attuned to learning or acquiring ideas and skills more easily than at any other time.

What distinguishes a Montessori classroom?

The Montessori classroom is a child-sized world, a carefully prepared environment that allows children to explore life on a level they can understand intuitively. The materials and exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. This curated environment entices children to proceed at their own pace from simple activities to more complex ones. Through this process, children’s natural curiosity leads them to experience the joy of discovering the world around them. Materials and curriculum center on practical life activities, sensory-motor experiences, language, math, geography, history, science, art, music, drama, and dance.

How do children interact in the environment?

As children develop a sense of pride in their work, confidence, well-being, and joy begin to manifest in them. A classroom of Montessori children is a pleasure to watch as “new children” emerge. A strong spirit of respect, love, and cooperation among the children is evident.

What is the role of the Montessori teacher?

The Montessori teacher is a director who facilitates classroom activity. They carefully plan the environment in the interest of the children and help them progress from one activity to the next. The teacher is trained to deal with each child individually and allows each to choose from many activities within their range of abilities. The teacher stands back while the child is working to allow the satisfaction of the child’s own discovery.

Does the freedom to choose cause confusion?

Freedom within the classroom is a limited freedom, partly guided by careful curation of the physical space. Children are allowed to work freely as long as they do not disturb others. Children with the opportunity to follow their interests are generally happy and busy with their work. In a Montessori context, a “free” individual is one who prefers to work out problems for themselves, but is also capable of asking for and receiving direction when necessary. Undisciplined and unskilled persons are not free, but are constrained by their immediate desires and are excessively dependent on others. Eventually, the free and self-disciplined child grows into the free and self-disciplined adult. For this reason, Dr. Montessori believed that “the fate of the future” lies “within the child.” 

Who benefits from Montessori education?

Montessori education is an approach to learning and has no distinction of class or intelligence. It has been used successfully in all parts of the world and in all types of programs.

Is Montessori education expensive?

Tuition in Montessori schools is sometimes higher than in others because of the extensive materials, environment, curriculum, and specially trained staff. It is, however, a very reasonable cost in comparison to other activities that families plan for their children. Many feel that the investment in Montessori education is worthwhile because giving your child the finest possible experience in their most sensitive years provides them with a strong foundation throughout life. The child who enjoys learning and becomes self-directed at the critical preschool age, and continues through elementary grades, will see benefits well beyond their school-age years. 

How does Montessori education benefit children during the elementary years?

Montessori elementary programs provide the same benefits as preschool Montessori programs. They follow a rigorous academic course and offer children the chance to continue learning with advanced Montessori materials. Concepts are reintroduced with increasing degrees of abstraction and complexity. The curriculum is organized into a spiral of integrated studies. Mathematics, literature, the arts, science, geography, history, social issues, political science, economics, and the study of technology complement one another. The integrated approach, one of Montessori’s greatest strengths, enhances learning for children of any age.

How does a child adjust from a Montessori school to a traditional one?

The qualities and skills that children learn in a Montessori environment may be applied everywhere. Montessori is a preparation for LIFE. Skills such as orderliness, sequential thought processes, concentration, coordination, and independence are necessary for all types of learning, regardless of where that learning takes place. Montessori students develop not only excellent study skills, but also a positive self-image. They generally do very well in traditional schools.

Sources:

The Essential Montessori, Elizabeth G. Hainstock

The Third Year Child, Mary Elizabeth Kasser

Montessori Kindergarten, Lynn McCormick

Montessori: Her Method and Movement, R.C. Orem

programs

What is the student-teacher ratio at LMS?

LMS strives to keep this ratio at 12:1. As a result of this low ratio, the children receive a great deal of individual attention, particularly relative to other school settings.

How are the teachers trained and do all teachers give lessons?

All of the teachers at LMS have been Montessori trained for the age range of the children in their classroom. The teachers all give lessons, and these lessons are typically presented to the students individually or in small groups.

What distinguishes LMS from other Montessori schools in the area?

The student-teacher ratio is lower than other Montessori schools so there is more attention to the individual child. In addition, the relatively small size of the school contributes to the feeling that everyone is able to and encouraged to work together.

Why do you teach the letter sounds rather than the names of letters?

Children are first introduced to the sound the letter makes rather than the name in order to help with phonetic awareness. This encourages the child to associate the sound with the shape of the letter, which allows the child to more easily combine sounds as they begin to read.

Why is it so important to have the children in mixed age groups?

In this type of setting, the children are encouraged to teach, help and learn from other children in the class, fostering cooperation through shared experiences.

Do all children have instruction in art, music and Spanish?

Yes, children in both the primary and elementary classes have art, music and Spanish lessons.

Do you have a summer program?

Summer programs vary from year to year.  Decisions on summer programs are determined in February of each school year.

Can parents participate by volunteering?

Parents are encouraged to volunteer both in and outside the classroom.  Parent committees such as, Social, Marketing, Fundraising and Building and Grounds are vital to our school’s success.  We love parent involvement!

after school care

After School FAQ
What activities are available to children who participate in the afterschool program?

Children in the primary program who are not yet in kindergarten have a quiet place to nap or rest after lunch.  Later in the afternoon, they have a snack and either go outside or have indoor recess. For children in kindergarten and the elementary grades, the afterschool portion of the program starts at 2:45 p.m. and includes snack and activities/recess indoors or outside.

Can children not enrolled in the afterschool program stay late on an occasional basis?

Occasional after-school care until 5:30 p.m. can usually be arranged for children who are contracted to leave at 11:45 or 3:00. The charge for 11:45 to 3:00 is $20, 3:00 to 5:30 is $18, and the charge for 11:45 to 5:30 is $38, payable the day of care. A fee is in effect any time a child is with the after-school supervisors, even if parents are conferencing with teachers.