Are you looking for a Montessori preschool for your child in Calgary, but aren’t sure if you found the right one? Here are 7 traits of an authentic Montessori school you should watch out for.
For parents who are looking for a Montessori daycare or pre-school for their child, it can be tricky to know what constitutes an authentic Montessori program. Why is this important? A true Montessori preschool has highly trained teachers, specific learning materials, and a carefully planned curriculum that will help your child:
- Develop self-control
- Learn to take initiative
- Learn cooperative social skills
- Develop an analytical mindset
- Develop a lifelong joy and excitement for learning
Experience One Of The Best Montessori Preschool Experiences in Calgary
At Grey Matter Montessori, our team understands that choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. That’s why we are dedicated to providing the best Montessori preschool education for all of our students, and our teachers strive always to foster development, creativity, self-confidence, and a lifelong love for learning.
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7 Traits of an Authentic Montessori School
If you are looking for the right Montessori preschool for your child, it takes some time and research. To help you make the most informed and best decision when it comes to choosing a Montessori school in Canada, here are 7 traits you should look out for:
- The classroom is made up of children of mixed ages. Authentic Montessori schools have kids of different ages in the same classrooms - often within 3 years of age from each other. This is based on the concept that children learn at their own pace and they can learn a lot from older peers - which wouldn’t happen in single-age classrooms.
- Calm and peaceful classroom. The best kind of Montessori school has classrooms that are calm and peaceful. All the movement within the space is slow and purposeful and you will notice children deep in concentration as they choose an activity and work on it for a long time.
- There is a prepared environment. A tell-tale sign of a true Montessori school is its prepared classroom. From the furniture to the learning materials, Montessori schools create a responsive, prepared environment and have a diverse set of learning materials that are designed to meet the interests, development, needs, and abilities of the children in the class. The teachers will modify the selection of materials and the physical layout of the class to the kids’ ever-changing needs.
- Self-directed and active learning. Hands-on learning and student led self-paced learning activities are the primary focus of Montessori preschools. Students learn more from practical materials, concrete models, and hands-on contact than from text books. Furthermore, a Montessori school will encourage spontaneous activity within limits. Children opt for work that captures their interest and teachers strive to draw their attention towards new areas of inquiry.
- Uninterrupted individual work periods. Authentic Montessori preschools will have three hours in the morning where children can enjoy self-chosen work. During this time, they will receive individual attention from the teachers and work on their own, rather than in groups.
- The learning is hands-on. Many schools provide mainly passive learning activities, such as listening to lectures or watching videos. But children learn best through exploring the world and experimenting for themselves. At Montessori schools, hands-on activities and experiences take place for every area of learning.
- Students are encouraged to develop self-reliance. The Montessori method is based on the idea that children require a blend of practice and encouragement to develop self-reliance and creative thinking and a true Montessori classroom will reflect this. For example, children will be allowed to perform activities they are capable of (eg. tying their shoe laces), and they get practice in self-care skills, such as cleaning up after themselves.
See The Montessori Difference at our Calgary Preschool
At Grey Matter, Montessori, we are committed to providing an authentic and inspiring Montessori education for your child which will prepare them to embrace academic, social, and personal success for a lifetime. To find out more, contact us at 587-707-4739 or book a tour of our school.
