What are the advantages of Montessori?
1. Montessori Education Creates Enthusiastic, Self-Motivated Learners
When children are given the space to learn at their own pace and in their own way, they actually enjoy learning! Montessori methods are designed to help your child develop a life-long love of learning and insatiable curiosity about the world around them. Dr. Montessori created the program in 1907, which means it's been around for more than 100 years. Its longevity speaks volumes toward its success in teaching students more than just basic reading, writing and arithmetic.
2. Montessori Education Results in Improved Social and Problem-Solving Skills
Because of the multi-age classroom atmosphere, children who study under a Montessori program typically interact better with their peers. They learn positive ways to resolve differences and find connection and camaraderie in their joint pursuit of discovery. Because of Montessori's emphasis on cultural diversity, children also grow up learning the importance of connecting with others from different perspectives and backgrounds, a skill that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.
3. Montessori Students Possess Advanced Reading and Mathematical Abilities
Reading is a huge part of Montessori education. Montessori kids love to read! We put a huge emphasis on literacy because it's a foundational component of discovery. You'll also find that Montessori students display an advanced understanding of abstract and practical mathematical concepts. In a 2017 study of 140 students — some in Montessori programs, others in traditional classrooms — the students who were enrolled in Montessori programs displayed a more advanced set of literacy and math skills than their non-Montessori peers by the end of their third year in a Montessori program.
4. Montessori Students Become Compassionate, Confident and Polite Children
Montessori is designed to do more than teach children to read and write. Montessori students typically display high self-esteem and great respect for others around them. Not only are they more self-confident, but they also demonstrate more kindness and compassion toward their peers. An interesting benefit of our emphasis on these areas in school is that it translates into their home life as well. Parents of Montessori students report that their children show great improvement in organization, cleaning and household chores. As they grow, their abilities to help and maintain their spaces at home grows.
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Myths About Montessori Education
Montessori education is one of those things that a lot of people have heard of, but many times they associate the term "Montessori" with incorrect or exaggerated information. So let's clear up a few misconceptions.
MYTH: Montessori Schools Are Faith-Based Programs
FACT: Montessori is not a faith-based program, nor is it based in new-age philosophies. In fact, the Montessori curriculum is more than 100 years old and was created by a doctor whose experiences working in both medicine and education shaped her theories about how children learn and grow.
MYTH: All Montessori Schools Are the Same
FACT: Although accredited Montessori schools follow certain principles and guidelines, depending on how a certain school applies the principles Dr. Montessori established, you're sure to find some variation among each Montessori school. That's why it's important to make sure you understand what a true Montessori curriculum looks like and the foundations behind its methods. Knowing the basics will prepare you for selecting the best environment for your child, regardless of their age.
MYTH: Young Children Won't Grasp Montessori Principles
FACT: Parents often ask us, "What's the best time to start my child in a Montessori program?" While there is no age limit, we find somewhere between 18 and 36 months is the ideal time to introduce Montessori principles to a child. In the early years of Montessori education, children spend much time on sensory activities, designed to develop their senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, touch and taste. That is what drives the program at Sapientia Montessori School.
As they move into their elementary school years, Montessori students will move into more abstract topics, applying what they are learning to real-world situations. This effort to help them organize their thoughts will benefit them as they continue to grow. In the adolescent years, the Montessori program relies on this foundation to prepare students to combine reason and emotion to understand the broader concepts of equity, justice and freedom.
MYTH: Montessori Teachers Don't Have the Same Levels of Education and Training Traditional Teachers Do
FACT: Montessori teachers are some of the best and brightest educators out there. They come to us with an impressive combination of experience and advanced degrees that back up their outstanding abilities to lead a classroom. What makes Montessori teachers special is that they are able to focus first and foremost of cultivating an atmosphere of creativity and discovery that will encourage learning and growth in children of all ages and abilities. Their patience and creativity are unparalleled, and their love of learning knows no bounds.
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