Choosing the right preschool, daycare, or elementary school for your child is very daunting. It is also very important, especially if you’re considering Montessori-style learning. With over 4,000 schools in the US alone claiming to be associated with the Montessori method, it is essential to verify the authenticity of any school you are considering.
A genuine Montessori school ensures your child benefits from the authentic Montessori experience, which, if done right, is designed to enhance a child’s independence, creative choice, and broaden their minds from a younger age than traditional schooling styles allow. Montessori education is meant to create an environment where children explore, discover, and develop at their own pace.
A child can be introduced to this style of teaching from infancy through adolescence, but it is important to know what to look for when trying to determine which Montessori school will be the best fit for your child.
Understanding the Benefits in an Authentic Montessori Education
- Individualized Learning: Montessori classrooms allow children to learn at their own pace, and the focus is on individual progress rather than rigid grade levels.
- Hands-On Learning: Montessori materials are designed to be manipulative and engaging in a hands-on manner to enhance understanding and retention.
- Mixed-Age Groups: Montessori classrooms often have mixed-age groups to foster a sense of community and collaboration.
- Independence and Responsibility: Montessori encourages independence, responsibility for one’s learning, and practical life skills (such as cleaning, cooking, and organizing) are integrated into the curriculum.
- Holistic Development: Montessori emphasizes not only academics, but children also learn empathy, conflict resolution, and self-awareness.
- Love of Learning: Montessori environments nurture curiosity, a love for learning, and the development of intrinsic motivation.
Each Montessori school is unique, and asking the right questions can help you make an informed choice. When touring a Montessori school for the first time, you need to tailor your questions to your specific priorities and your child’s needs from an informed point of view.
Crucial Things to Know When Looking at Montessori Schools
Even before you get to the questions part of the tour, you need to be on the lookout for key factors that indicate the quality of the education.
Montessori educators are rigorously trained to understand the unique style of teaching. If you detect a teacher or a guide who has a weak understanding, appreciation, or enthusiasm for Montessori methods, it should raise your concern.
Most importantly, accreditation is everything. Out of all those listed schools, only 1,250 are affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS), and even fewer still have real accreditation through AMS. Before you even approach any school, research the school thoroughly and look for AMS or AMI affiliation and accreditation.
Key questions to consider asking while evaluating a Montessori school include:
- Are the teachers credentialed by reputable Montessori organizations such as AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) or AMS (American Montessori Society)?
- Do the teachers have Montessori learning age-appropriate credentials?
- How well do the staff members understand and appreciate the Montessori philosophy?
- Are there any deviations in work materials or teaching styles at the school? If so, ask why since some states restrict certain key aspects.
- How do teachers promote a love of learning in their Montessori classrooms?
- Are the materials made of natural materials?
While you’re on the tour, look around carefully to observe the classroom to see if the classrooms are prepared, tidy, and child friendly. Check if materials are in good shape and in complete sets, including an outdoor area for gross motor activities and gardening.
Getting Help for Transitions
Choosing a school or embarking on your child’s educational journey can be daunting. If you need help navigating this transition for your child, a professional counselor can help. Reach out to our offices today and we will connect you to a Christian counselor who can work with you to identify what is most important for as you take this significant step.
Photos:
“A field of plants“, Courtesy of Annie Spratt, Unsplash.com, CC0 License
