Montessori Schools
Why Choose One for Your Infant or Toddler?
Expectant parents face a bewildering array of decisions throughout pregnancy and in their children’s early years, and providing an educational head start is assuming an increasingly important place on that long list of decisions.
In fact, the early years have become better understood as research has shown that children develop their beliefs about themselves, their attitudes toward learning and their understanding of the world around them, as well as their sense of success and self-esteem, between birth and six years of age. As educators have known for years, positive early learning experiences can set the tone for success in school and life. Those first years, Maria Montessori believed, are more important than the university years, and she aptly named them “The Formative Years.”
Perhaps intuitively grasping the importance of those formative years, many parents are looking beyond the traditional model of day care and preschool to more expansive programs that start early and focus on the whole child in a supportive, nurturing environment. Such schools help children develop according to their individual abilities and learning styles and learn to form healthy self-esteem and develop positive attitudes about learning and school. Even infants thrive in a rich and stimulating educational environment.
When and How to Begin
You can’t start too early to find the right school environment for your child-to-be. Begin your search early in the pregnancy, if possible, because the best schools may have waiting lists that may be months or even years long. Keep in mind, too, that programs for infants are rare, so waiting lists are very common; you may need to register your child well in advance of birth. For toddlers, a six-month to one-year planning window is typical.
Do Your Homework
First, know your child. Toddlers and infants are extremely sensitive to their environments, so they need a sense of routine and safety. Personality is important, too: is the child outgoing or shy? Comfortable in groups or prefers solo activities? Eager for new experiences or timid?
Thoroughly research each school you are considering before making a decision. You can get good information about public and private early learning schools through accrediting and membership organizations such as The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Parents want to choose an educational approach that supports their belief system. To locate schools with compatible philosophies, consult organizations that support those philosophies; for example, good Montessori schools are likely to be affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Additional sources of information and reviews include websites such as the Private School Review and the Qualistar rating service (free registration required). Be sure to talk to parents with children currently enrolled at schools you are interested in to get their perspectives about why they chose that program and what their experience has been. Finally, once you have narrowed down the schools you are most interested in, visit those schools to learn more about the culture and to observe the children, teachers, classroom facility and playground. Ask yourself:
- How does the school feel? Are the children happy and engaged? Are staff members aware of and attentive to each child’s individual learning styles and personality? Are the facilities clean, well-maintained and appropriately sized for young children?
- Does the school fit my philosophy? Is this an atmosphere and learning environment my child can flourish in? Are the curriculum and teaching methodology compatible with our beliefs and expectations? Are the school’s and my child’s home environments similar? (Consistency is important to young children.)
- What outcome do I want for my child? Does the curriculum offer the best possible mix of academics, social development and practical skills education to set my child firmly on the path to becoming a confident, emotionally healthy and productive member of society?
Why Montessori?
As a Montessori educator for over 20 years, I firmly believe the Montessori Method provides infants and toddlers the most comprehensive early childhood learning experience for three reasons:
Reason 1: Focus on children’s developmental needs. Montessori tends to the child’s social, emotional and physical sense of order and helps support each child’s individual development in a healthy way. The Montessori environment is built on a child’s scale: everything is child-sized, so children feel comfortable and free to become independent. Mirrors and ballet barres let infants watch themselves pull up and learn to stand, and specialized materials help them learn developmental concepts, such as object permanence.
At the toddler level, Montessori materials and lessons are designed to encourage social skills, teach basic concepts, and support student success in their quest for independence. Mixed-age groupings help children grow at their own pace, as well as learn from and lead one another.
Reason 2: Age-appropriate programs and curricula. Montessori programs focus on developing the whole child, teaching independence skills (such as changing clothes, using toilet facilities and cleaning up) along with social skills, language proficiency, and early science, math and social studies concepts. These lessons lay the foundation for overall success as children grow into preschoolers and elementary students. Montessori teachers are trained to support children where they are having difficulty and challenge them where they are advanced.
Reason 3: Environment. Freedom of movement in toddler classrooms is important, but toddlers also need a calm and organized environment to support a need for order and predictability. For example, they need to know where to find something in the classroom, rather than experiencing the frustration of not being successful. Classroom environments that over-stimulate toddlers create stress and inhibit learning; Montessori environments give children a sense of order and success at their individual developmental levels.
Whatever path you finally choose for your infant or toddler’s early education, following the tips outlined in this article will give you the information you need to find the best school for your child.