Advantages of the Montessori Method
Montessori schools are built on the basis that students learn best when they are nurtured and encouraged to pursue their creativity, imagination, and natural curiosity. Enrolling your child in a Montessori school ensures that your child is receiving an education that is focused, with a small student to teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention.
A Montessori education is designed for students throughout their preschool and school-aged years, from pre-kindergarten to high school. Students' independence is encouraged and grades are mixed so that different age groups associate with each other. Montessori students follow their interests and are guided by their own curiosity, given large amounts of uninterrupted time to work on their learning.
The Montessori method works well for students who are self-driven and feel stifled by the traditional public school setting that forces them into a particular schedule of learning based on age and grade level. Montessori teachers guide more than they instruct, allowing students to learn and work directly with material, rather than being lectured at.
Montessori Preschool
Montessori preschool programs focus on developing independence in young children, including infants and toddlers. Older preschool levels are typically mixed with kindergarten classes so the children can learn with each other, as well as with the teacher. The teacher will introduce different activities to the children, but after this introduction, students are free to choose things that interest them.
Montessori preschool students practice things such as coordination, developing the senses, languages, music and art. As with all the other Montessori learning levels, preschool students are encouraged to follow their own interests and engage with materials on their own or in groups, with the guidance of a teacher.
Montessori Materials
Many homeschoolers are interested in using Montessori materials in their curriculum, since the school's outlook is incredibly popular in North America. Many parents feel that encouraging independence from an early age will help their children survive in contemporary society and thrive in the competitive world of post-secondary education and the job market.
There are several different websites and educational stores where you can find Montessori materials, from worksheets to books, and even toys and games. One thing parents will notice is the fact that the pricing of these materials can vary greatly by the location where you shop. While you want to make sure you're getting materials that are truly inspired by the Montessori philosophy, remember that you don't have to break the bank to do so.
