Is Montessori a good fit for your child?
Parents want the best for their children and choosing the right school for a child is an important part of making sure that they are happy, healthy and well-adjusted. If you’re considering Montessori as an option for your little one, the good news is that Montessori’s teaching methodology is suitable for all children – of different temperaments and learning aptitudes; whether they like to sit still or run around, or work better independently as opposed to in a group.
According to one mum writing for Montessorinotebook.com, Montessori materials offer opportunities to learn visually, aurally, kinaesthetically (through touch) and verbally, and are thus easily accessible to children who learn in different ways. Directresses at St Andrew’s Montessori prepare and connect the child to the environment, which is full of beautiful materials to explore as the children learn through discovery.
When thinking about ‘outcomes,’ in terms of what you’d like your children to come away from school knowing how to do, one Montessori headmaster offers the following guideline in the form of questions, to help articulate your decision:
- Do I want my child to be an independent learner who is peaceful and polite?
- Do I want my child to be able to select their own work and follow it to conclusion?
- Do I want them to learn practical life skills as well as know a second language?
- Do I want my child to have the option to learn from older peers and grow at their own speed?
Answering ‘yes’ to a majority of these questions implies that Montessori schooling would likely be a good option for your child as well as your family (in terms of the ethics that define your parenting).
Another good way to help you figure out if Montessori is a good fit for your child is to ask around. Speak to other Montessori families and ask about their experiences at a Montessori school. Visiting your local Montessori school and speaking to staff is also important.
Montessori is child-centric learning that offers the freedom to discover and grow within the structure of an organised environment. Limits are few but clear and children learn to respect and follow the limits as an essential tool for not only development but also fun and enjoyment.
If you have any questions regarding Montessori schooling and methodology, we’d love to chat more with you – please visit our contact page and we’ll be in touch.
Photo by Gabby Orcutt on Unsplash
