Are you looking for the right preschool for your child? Have you heard about a Montessori education but aren't quite sure what it is? Maybe you are weighing the pros and cons of a Montessori education! Here are the 6 core characteristics of Montessori education.
The Montessori method of learning is becoming an increasingly popular form of learning for young children. Many traditional methods of education are becoming old and outdated for our modern world. This is where Montessori differs. Through the groundbreaking Montessori method, your child will develop:
- Creativity
- Emotional intelligence
- Concentration
- Social skills
- Greater independence
Keep reading to learn more about the guiding values of Grey Matter Montessori!
Our NW Calgary Montessori Preschool Puts The Needs Of Each Child First
At Grey Matter Montessori, we develop tailored learning plans for each individual student. We use the groundbreaking Montessori method which has been proven successful in developing key characteristics including confidence, determination, respect, creativity, and independence.
Want to learn more about how we can develop a lifelong love of learning in your child?
The Core Characteristics of a Montessori Education
The Montessori method is a form of education that was developed by famed Italian educator, Maria Montessori. Maria dedicated her life to understanding how children develop their intellect, social skills, and emotional intelligence. The culmination of her life's research, experiences, and work have all come together in the Montessori method. But what sets a Montessori education apart? What are the foundational values that make it what it is? Here are 6 core characteristics of the Montessori education method:
1. Trained Montessori Teachers
The hallmark of any good school is a core of excellent, qualified teachers. Our teachers at Grey Matter Montessori are expertly trained in the Montessori method and have a lengthy list of credentials and experience in educating young children through the Montessori method. We are incredibly proud of each one of our teachers and the love and attention that they give to each student.
MEET THE GREY MATTER MONTESSORI TEAM
2. Self-Directed Work
In an authentic Montessori classroom, there is typically a large portion of the day where children are free to pursue their own self-chosen work. At our authentic Montessori classroom, we utilize a 3 hour period in the morning where all of our students are free to learn whatever aspect of the curriculum they are most drawn to. One of the biggest benefits of this is that children slowly master a subject that they are truly passionate about before moving on to the next one.
3. Diverse Classroom
A Montessori classroom is a place of collaborative learning. To allow for the collaboration of different thoughts and ideas, there needs to be a wide range of distinct children in each classroom. In a traditional school, classrooms are divided up by age, while in a Montessori school, children of varying ages are grouped together so that the younger children can learn from their older peers, and the older children can master their interpersonal skills and learn through teaching.
Additionally, Montessori schools are well-known to be some of the most culturally diverse schools available. This allows students to learn about different cultures, enriching their worldview and shaping them into more culturally tolerant individuals.
THE BENEFITS OF INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING IN THE MONTESSORI CLASSROOM
4. Uninterrupted Work Periods
In that same 3 hour work period mentioned above, our students work free of interruptions. During this time, our students are encouraged to avoid interrupting one another, so that our qualified teachers can spend more time working with their students, and less time babysitting. From this, Montessori students learn the value of respecting their friends and peers' time.
5. Prepared Montessori Materials
When you walk into a dedicated Montessori classroom, you are entering a room that is specifically designed as a hands-on learning environment for the needs of every student as an individual. Montessori schools create a prepared environment with learning materials that cater to the unique interests, abilities, and personalities of each child in the class. Our trained Montessori teachers will modify the layout, materials, and instruction plan to ensure that each child is getting the most out of their education.
6. Hands-On Learning
Children who are of preschool age are known as 'sensorial learners,' meaning that they learn best from utilizing their senses. At this age, children act as intellectual sponges and will absorb everything that they see, hear, feel, touch, and smell. In a Montessori classroom, rather than watch a video about a subject or be given a worksheet to complete, children are encouraged to learn in a hands-on manner. This allows them to utilize all of their senses and become more involved with what they are learning.
See the Montessori Difference Firsthand at our NW Calgary Preschool
At Grey Matter Montessori, our team is dedicated to providing you and your child with a genuine Montessori preschool education. Our program instills children with the confidence, emotional intelligence, social skills, and critical thinking abilities needed to succeed as they enter into grade school and are faced with the challenges it provides.
If you would like to learn more about the Montessori method or to inquire about our enrollment opportunities, please contact us at 587-707-4739 or fill in our online contact form.
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