Preschool isn’t mandatory,
but that doesn't mean younger children should be left out of structured
learning. While many assume that the “real” learning begins in kindergarten,
early childhood education could actually be one of the most important parts of
your child’s academic journey. Here are three of the most important reasons to
consider preschool for your kids.
Preschool
Prepares Kids for Classroom Settings
This benefit is pretty
simple, but it’s important. When young kids spend time in a structured academic
environment, they learn how to operate as students. They get experience with
everything from following classroom rules and verbal instructions to ignoring
distractions and paying attention. If some skills or rules don’t come easily,
they deserve time to work on it before they’re expected to sit down and learn
math or science. After all, children adapt to new routines and settings at
their own pace. Early childhood education helps lay a foundation for a smoother
transition to elementary school.
Preschool
is the First Step toward Self-Sufficiency
Your preschool-age kids are
probably “growing up too fast” already, and it’s natural to bristle at the
thought of sending them off to school for the first time. However, your
ultimate goal as parents is to prepare them for the real world, and it’s never
too early to start learning independence and self-sufficiency. In preschool,
kids are expected to contribute and engage in basic tasks for the first time,
teaching them self-care and giving them a sense of accomplishment and
independence. They must wash their hands, keep their stuff in their cubbies,
contribute to classroom chores, and listen to their peers. These skills will
make it easier for them to make independent decisions and take care of
themselves later.
Preschool
Exposes Kids to Language at a Crucial Time
Whether or not a young child
is ready for reading lessons, they are constantly absorbing the linguistic cues around them. Vocal
development begins before their first birthday, when they start producing and
repeating syllables, and by age five, most children have learned thousands of
words and mastered their language’s sound system. These early years provide the
foundation for your child’s literacy skills later on, and preschool programs
expose them to new letter and word patterns to encourage vocal development. As
teachers read books aloud and kids sing or chant rhyming phrases together,
their young minds begin recognizing crucial patterns and sounds, which could
boost their reading comprehension and expressive language skills later.
At the Montessori School of Flagstaff Sunnsyide Campus, we understand the significance of early childhood education. We
believe that all children, especially our youngest and most “absorbent”
students, thrive when they have the opportunity to learn at their own pace in a
stimulating environment. That’s why we offer five different preschool and
kindergarten programs for ages three to six, all emphasizing lessons and
sensory experiences that enrich your young children's lives while developing a
strong foundation for their future. Contact us today to schedule a tour!
One of the hallmarks of a
Montessori preschool program is that children are expected to do many things
for themselves, such as cleaning, pouring, and serving food. Older or more
proficient children help the younger children or those who are new to the program.
To an outside observer, the classroom at clean-up time or lunch time might look
like a community of tiny adults, all doing their part to achieve a common goal.
The
Benefits of Chores
Maria Montessori's philosophy
was that children learn and thrive when given age-appropriate responsibilities
and independence. Children can learn a sense of responsibility - to their
duties as well as to others - from an early age. You can bring her approach
home by assigning age-appropriate chores, and helping your children learn to
perform them independently. Assigning chores at home will allow you to:
Make
your child feel like a functional part of the household.
Children love knowing they help the household run smoothly. It can make
them feel especially good to do chores such as helping to take care of
household pets.
Help
your child develop self-confidence.
Accomplishing something makes you feel good, right? Children are no
different. Doing a job well and receiving recognition for it will help
your child develop self-esteem and a sense of pride in their work.
Teach
your child life skills. Work is an important part of
life. We all have "chores" we do on a daily basis, from
necessary household tasks to our careers. Encouraging children to help out
around the house and to take pride in their accomplishments will help
instill a strong work ethic at an early age.
Age
Appropriate Chores for Preschoolers
Many preschoolers want to do
things themselves and assigning chores gives you an opportunity to take
advantage of that natural eagerness to help. If your child has never done
chores before, start with small chores, adding one at a time. Take the time to
teach your child how to do things that are difficult for them at first, as
it'll pay off in the long run. Here are a few responsibilities
that are age-appropriate for preschoolers:
Cleaning
up toys
Feeding
pets
Making
their bed
Getting
dressed in the morning
Getting
ready for bed at night
Putting
away folded clothes
Folding
easy-to-fold clothes
Wiping up
spills
Watering
plants
Helping
with cooking
Measuring
ingredients for baking
Washing
produce
Setting
the table
Serving,
pouring, etc.
Teaching
Responsibility at Home and at School
Teaching your child to do
chores at home will help teach responsibility, but it's only half the story. As
much as we as parents like to think we control everything about our children's
upbringings, don't forget that they spend at least half their day at school.
The right school will reinforce the same values you emphasize at home.
At Montessori Children's House, students are encouraged to work together throughout their day, thereby showing them that each person is equally responsible in their own learning. For more information on how
our Montessori programs encourage responsibility, a love of learning, and other
important life skills, contact us today to take a tour of our school.
The Montessori classroom is a
truly unique learning environment where children are encouraged to think
outside of the box. Approaching the learning process with enthusiasm and
providing real-life activities to supplement the classroom, children tend to thrive
and reach new levels of understanding when attending a Montessori school. But
that's just the beginning of the differences and influences found in a
Montessori elementary school.
The
Montessori Influence
Learning isn't something you
do for good grades - it is a way of life at Montessori schools. With many
students going on to become life long seekers of knowledge, this educational
system proudly provides students with the learning abilities they need to be
successful in their adult life. Students are encouraged to
learn at their own pace and style, which is what gives them the time to
discover their own interests while still being guided by an instructor. It also
gives the student a sense of autonomy that eventually translates into valuable
time management skills, accountability, and so much more. Here are some ways
Montessori elementary schools influence students, parents, and the community as
a whole. Respect and
Understanding:
Every student is treated like the unique individual they are at a Montessori
school. And at the same time, they are taught – through a variety of activities
– how to respect and value other people's differences. Increased Creativity: When children are given free-access
to explore the limits of their learning potential, they start to understand how
beneficial and fun learning can be. This opens up their minds to new ideas and
possibilities on a daily basis which nourishes both the intellectual and
creative side of their personality. Freedom within Limits: With classrooms, curriculum, and
daily routines all built to support the emergence of self-discipline,
restraint, and independence, Montessori students are taught to think for
themselves and regulate their own time, with some guidance along the way.
The
Montessori Difference
Montessori elementary schools
help children develop skills that last a life time. Through independent
learning, flexible schedules, and self-discipline, the child learns how to
adapt and grow in response to a wide variety of real-life situations.
Social
Development
Montessori schoolsalso go to
great lengths to build strong, small communities in every classroom. Social
development is just as important as any other skill in life, but the student
cannot explore this aspect of themselves unless they have an environment where
they feel comfortable and welcome at all times. This kind of support increases
a child's self esteem and builds the confidence they need to face the world as
an adult.
Every moment in a child's
life is precious. Montessori recognizes this by creating learning programs that
focus on the big picture of life, rather than simply memorizing facts from a
textbook. The goal is to help children become self-sufficient and
self-actualized in all areas of their life. The elementary school program at the Montessori School of Pleasanton embraces students' individuality and encourages them to work at their own pace, while being guided by teachers and peers. Our students learn independence as they freely move about the classroom and explore on their own. Contact us today to meet our teachers and schedule a tour.
