What Is The Parents' Role In Montessori Education?

If you have chosen a Montessori education for your child you probably did a lot of research into the different curriculums and philosophies offered by preschools in your area. Your decision to choose a Montessori program is very personal. Ideally, it is because Montessori seemed like a good fit for your child and the Montessori method matches your family’s values and goals. Montessori places a strong emphasis on family involvement in the educational process and looks to parents to help foster development. So, you may wonder, what is the parents’ role in Montessori education?

To learn more about the tuition and fees for the Grey Matter Montessori preschool program, click here.

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How Parents Can Support The Montessori Method

A Montessori program is not a particular curriculum or educational discipline, but rather a philosophy and an approach to child development. As such, we hope that the ideas, principles, and techniques central to a Montessori education can be integrated into every aspect of your child’s life for optimal learning and growth. This is where family and parental involvement come into practice. Here are some of the ways you can support your child’s journey to a life-long love of learning outside of the Montessori classroom:

Foster And Encourage Independence
Independence builds self-confidence and responsibility. Allowing children to take ownership of tasks and chores (in a developmentally-appropriate way) will not only help them develop necessary skills, but encourage them to take on increasingly complex responsibilities. Start with brushing their own teeth and tying their own shoes and work your way up to tasks that make children feel valued and an important part of their family environment like sorting socks on laundry day or putting dishes in the dishwasher after dinner.

Stay In Touch With Nature
Movement and outdoor play and exploration are key values of a Montessori education. Spend time outdoors every day to enjoy the health benefits of the fresh air and to nurture your child’s natural sense of wonder and curiosity.

Let Your Child Lead The Way
Create an environment at home where opportunities to question and discover abound and guide your child to learn and explore at their own pace. Build a home library with picture books, story books, reference books, and even comics and let your child choose. Assemble a box of interesting materials and objects that could become the medium for counting games, building activities, or art projects. Take a walk in the neighbourhood and have your child determine the route. Letting your child lead encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and important leadership skills.

Celebrate Creativity
When children develop creativity they develop the skills to be flexible, resilient, and adaptable. Creativity can be found where expected in crafts, art projects, and music exploration, but it can also be discovered in math games, building activities, cleaning up, and even while getting dressed. Recognize and celebrate your child when they discover an alternative way to solve a problem, complete a task, or to learn a new skill. Your enthusiasm will encourage your child to continue developing their own unique creativity.

The Important Role You Play In Montessori Education

Every preschool child needs the love and support of their family. It is a critical component for success in education and in life. A Montessori preschool program encourages parents and families to learn about the Montessori method and to incorporate the techniques and practices of the classroom into the loving and supportive home environment. Providing opportunities to learn and grow will encourage your child to develop their own unique gifts and unlimited potential.

To learn more tips and tricks to help your child get ready for preschool this fall, read 23 Ways To Prepare Your Child For Preschool. And to determine if your child is ready to begin their educational journey read Is My Child Ready For Preschool?.

If you are interested in exploring the benefits of a Grey Matter Montessori education for your preschool-aged or kindergarten-aged child, contact us to book a time for a school tour at our NW Calgary location. We are accessible just off of Symons Valley Parkway in the NW community of Evanston. Call us for more info on our Calgary Montessori preschool programming at 587-707-4739.

FAQ

Q: How can I explain responsibility to my preschooler?
A: When dealing with 3-6 year-olds, it is important to develop their self-confidence to make responsible decisions, while, of course, modelling the behaviour yourself. You can do this by:

Celebrating good choices
Modelling and identifying kindness
Following through on your word and recognizing when your child does so
Teach your child how to care about themselves, their family, and the world around them
Read more here.

Q: Is there a checklist of things my child must know before attending preschool?
A: At Grey Matter Montessori in Calgary, we value the differences that make each child unique. If your child is aged 3-6 they may be ready to begin to explore learning and we are ready to facilitate it. Learn more about exploring your child’s readiness for preschool here.

Q: When do you accept registration?
A: Grey Matter Montessori has ongoing registration and even offers advanced registrations (up to two years). Contact our office for more information on the upcoming school year and register as early as possible to ensure availability for your desired days and times.