Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Parents: How to Support your Child's Montessori School

Parents: How to Support your Child's Montessori School



Montessori education is more of a holistic approach to learning, meaning that the methods used apply to all facets of a child’s life rather than just the academic ones. The goal is to produce children who are able to meld into society as well as become successful in academic pursuits. Parents play a large role in that and becoming familiar with the Montessori method may be the best way to support your child and his school.


Preschool Preparedness

Making sure that your children are prepared for the school day provides a lot of support to the student guides. Preschool children will be practicing being self-sufficiency in life - and the restroom. For this, they need to wear clothing they can put on and take off by themselves with little or no assistance. Similarly, shoes that they can put on by themselves makes it easier for Montessori students to transition from indoor to outside activities.

Help your children to select their school clothing the night before, eliminating early morning stress factors. This is a huge benefit in the classroom, as children who become anxious or stressed before school tend to carry the effects with them into the classroom.


Parental Participation

Parents can get involved on the personal level by volunteering to help out in the classroom, at special events, or by providing special skills that the classroom can benefit from. Parents are a tremendous asset for the school when it comes to event planning and having sufficient hands available during special functions, and they rely on parental involvement to keep it all working smoothly. Taking an active role may be the best support you can offer to your child's school, and it will have a positive impact on your children in the process.


Work as a Team

Keep in mind that your child’s school wants the same things you do, namely a well-educated child who is comfortable with social graces and responsibility. When attending parent-teacher conferences, remember that you are on the same team. When a child sees that his parents and teachers are working together, they have a tendency to react in a positive manner. Read school newsletters, ask your children about their day, and make learning an exciting experience for everyone.


Financial Support

Montessori schools need your assistance in order to pay for school improvements, class trips, and to purchase materials for the classroom. You can help with this by making donations, taking part in fundraising campaigns, or providing much needed materials to the school. Keep in mind that your contributions should be intended to help all of the children, not just your own, so plan your donations accordingly.

If you have questions about how you can support your school, don’t hesitate to ask. The best rule of thumb is that anything you can do to help the school will also benefit your children, so take a few minutes to chat with teachers and find out where and how you can provide the best support.  If you're unsure of ways to help your child's Montessori school, contact the teachers and staff at the Montessori School of Flagstaff Sunnyside Campus.  We value Montessori education and sharing that methodology with children everyday.
Learning Objectives for your Preschooler

Learning Objectives for your Preschooler

Learning objective - Montessori West


A Montessori education is a well-rounded education, and preschool is the best time to start. Unlike traditional public schools, the Montessori classroom puts an emphasis on skills the child will be able to use throughout their life, including academic subjects, real-life skills, how to interact on a social level, and the importance of personal worth. This may seem like a lot for a small child to absorb, but the Montessori approach integrates the different objectives into daily course objectives so that learning about one objective helps reinforce education about others in the process.


Basic Life Skills

Montessori is about far more than academic education, and it can be practiced in the home. Learning basic life skills gets a lot of focus in the preschool environment, including such things as using the restroom unassisted, washing hands before meals, and learning to clean up behind oneself. Mastering everyday skills like setting and clearing the dinner table helps children improve motor skills, teaching reasoning concepts and counting, and a variety of other, more abstract concepts. Teaching children how to be successful human beings is not restricted to the classroom and shouldn’t end when the school day is over.


Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

STEM activities for young children help them become acquainted with the magic and mystery of science. While preschoolers are not expected to master rocket science, they will almost certainly be amazed by the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, learning to use the technology found in the classroom, or becoming acquainted with the beauty of simple math. Preschool STEM projects may not reveal the secrets of the universe, but building hands-on, STEM-related experience may help them develop a fondness for knowledge and discovery.


Social Skills

Social interaction is vital to a happy childhood. In the Montessori classroom, care is taken to introduce children to basic etiquette and other social skills. Additionally, emphasis is put on problem solving and conflict resolution so that today’s preschoolers will be better equipped to be tomorrow’s diplomats. Sharing and working together are important skills that are crucial to the Montessori environment.


Self Esteem

Underneath the life skills, STEM activities, and social interaction, the Montessori classroom is also instilling a sense of self-worth. Children who receive praise tend to be more enthusiastic and having a high self esteem is often central to displaying care and compassion for others. It is also beneficial in helping children avoid bullying, plus the fact that once a child understands that they have the power to succeed, the doors of success are easier to open.

For the parents of young children, it is important to remember that what a child experiences in the classroom can be continued in the home. Talk to your child’s student guides about the classroom projects and look for ways to recreate similar activities in the home. If children are awake, they are learning, and it is up to everyone around them to make that an enjoyable and interesting experience.  Montessori Children's House has a Preschool and Primary program for ages 18 months to 6 years.  Our teachers work with students and parents to incorporate lessons from the school day into everyday activities.  To learn more about the Montessori method, contact our school today.