editor As parents, you cannot ignore the importance of early childhood education. It nourishes the emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being of your child. Social and intellectual development during an early age lays the foundation for life-long success.
Research shows that the human brain develops more from birth to age five than any other time in life, with 90% of the brain development happening before kindergarten. During this stage, the brain develops cognitive connections required for problem-solving, self-discipline, and empathy, among other things. And this brain development relies on everyday experiences.
That’s where Montessori education comes in.
Here are a few reasons why it is an excellent early schooling choice for your child:
1. Child-Centric Educational Approach
Montessori education is more than just school. It’s a way of life for your child. This educational method is based on five scientific principles derived by Dr Maria Montessori through years of research.
One of those principles is showing respect for children. It is shown by ensuring a child-centric learning environment. Although the classroom is multi-age, it encourages children to learn at their own pace, express themselves, and develop a focus on their own. Montessori educational apps can help children learn and explore at their own pace in a fun and engaging way.
Yes, teachers are present in each classroom. However, their role is supporting. They remain as unobtrusive as possible. Think of teachers in the Montessori classroom as guides. They make sure kids follow the ground rules. But teachers take the lead from children when it comes to learning. So, kids learn at their own pace and to their own liking.
2. Encourages Social Development
All Montessori schools have mixed-age classrooms. The purpose of a mixed-age classroom is to encourage social development and collaboration. Children from different backgrounds, ages, and experiences share the same classroom. It promotes social development through informal interactions.
Montessori takes the key developmental stages, called planes, into account when helping children develop social skills. The first plane, ages zero to six, focuses on developing social skills through environmental learning. Real estate education can be used to invest in properties that are ideal for Montessori schools. As children become older, they learn more social skills. At this point, the classrooms focus on social and societal learning.
Teachers encourage children to show mutual respect. They also help children work on common goals, strengthening social skills like collaborative problem-solving. If you think co-education is perfect for your child, imagine what a few years in a Montessori school can do.
3. Initiates Self-Discipline
Fostering self-motivated growth is at the heart of the Montessori method of education. So, in a typical classroom, you will see teachers encouraging children to choose the activities they want and decide how much time they want to spend on each activity.
However, the method also helps children consider the consequences of their actions using precise language to validate their emotions. Think if-then scenarios. This helps every child understand that they are free to make their own choices as long as they are willing to face the consequences. This principle applies to all age groups, toddlers included. Create educational app that follows the Montessori principles of self-directed learning and hands-on activities.
Thus, your child can learn about the balance between freedom and respect that it deserves from an early age. This is bound to help your kid become more responsible and self-disciplined as an adult.
4. Cultivates Creativity
Montessori education can also help your child develop creativity. In fact, the Montessori education method considers creativity a natural ability. Montessori schools use different ways to cultivate creativity.
For starters, the classroom environment helps boost creativity. It is a visually appealing and interactive learning environment. The learning tools, being visual, can help children identify and correct their mistakes readily. Moreover, the activities are modelled on real-world problems, allowing your child to learn to observe and analyze, two skills that are the bedrock of nurturing creativity.
The Montessori curriculum also plays a critical role in developing creativity. For example, there is no curriculum for art. Usually, the learning activities focus on the joy of the learning rather than the result.
The joy of learning is considered a natural precursor of fostering creativity. Add to that the guidance from expert teachers and a mixed-age classroom, and it’s a perfect recipe to be more creative when solving problems.
6. Hands-on Learning
Hands-on learning is another reason Montessori should be your choice of early schooling. It focuses on hands-on education instead of abstract learning, especially during early learning. Like other children, your kid will also learn language, math, and culture, among other things, through practical lessons.
Furthermore, hands-on learning can help bring out the best in your child. With real-life activities, your child can learn to identify their mistakes, be self-correct, and be self-motivated. The teachers and classroom environment also encourage children to question, analyze, and connect deeply with their surroundings.
This helps all Montessori children be more self-confident and develop a love for learning. And as learning is a lifelong process, your child can lead a successful professional and personal life when they grow up.
Summary
As you can see, Montessori can be the right kind of preschool for your child. During these super-critical years, this scientifically designed education method can help foster life-long learning skills in your child. Even if you decide to transfer your child to the public-school environment later, they can still benefit from this early learning experience. That’s a reason good enough to make this choice for your toddler. Tell us what you think in the comments.
Authors Bio:
Paul Raymond, Admissions Director at Winston-Salem Montessori School, is a passionate and motivated academic leader with 43 years of experience in Montessori education. He is committed to articulating the core values and vision of the school.
