Cross of Life Montessori School
  • Programs
    • Toddler Program (15 - 36 months)
    • Primary Class (3 - 6 years)
    • Catechesis of The Good Shepherd
    • The Children's Garden
  • About Us
    • Director's Letter
    • COL Church
    • Mission Statement
    • FAQ'S
    • Staff
  • Montessori
    • Montessori Overview
    • Dr. Maria Montessori
    • Montessori Library
    • The Montessori Advantage
  • Admission
    • Virtual Tour
    • Enrollment Steps
    • Online Student Application
    • Tuition
  • Parent's Corner
    • Covid-19 Procedures
    • Parent Association >
      • PA Meetings and Teacher Appreciation Lunches
      • Pizza Days
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • February Parent Ed - Importance of the 3rd year
    • Forms >
      • Transportation Permission
      • Lunch Hour (12pm-1pm)
    • Student Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Quick Reference Page
    • Birthdays in the Primary Class
    • Class Supply Lists >
      • Toddler Snack Shopping List
      • Toddler Class Supply List
      • Toddler Snack Schedule
      • Primary Class Supply List
      • Primary Snack Shopping List
      • Primary Snack Schedule
  • Giving
    • Apogee Scholarship
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Indirect Fundraising Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blog

What Your Child Will Really Get Out of Montessori

9/16/2019

 
Picture
​Is it really worth it?
 
I mean, why should you spend the time, effort and money to find an authentic Montessori program for your child? Wouldn’t it be easier to just find a good, basic preschool?

Picture
For me, the answer is easy - enrolling my children in a Montessori program was one of the best decisions I made as a parent. But, then again, I am a bit biased!
​
For most parents, however, the question remains: “What will my child really get out of attending a Montessori school?” I’m going to go out on a limb - my guess is that you did not attend a Montessori school when you were a child.

This isn’t a problem, of course. You turned out just fine. But, as you consider early education options for your child, your own educational experiences can make the decision a bit difficult.
Picture
At first glance, Montessori classrooms don’t look familiar to most people. There are no rows of desks, no blackboards and no teaching to the entire class. Parents are often intrigued by the peaceful, calm environment and the hum of activity, with young children choosing their own activities and concentrating deeply for long periods of time.
Picture
 ​
Montessori is so different, however, from traditional programs that it’s natural to leave a bit perplexed. I mean, what is really going on here? In a conventional pre-school, your child will  focus on “pre-reading and pre-math” with workbooks, flash cards and rote memorization. Think ABC and 1-2-3.

In a conventional school, your child will need to adjust to the schedule of a traditional school, so they have activities where everyone does this same thing at the same time. Think group art projects where your child will learn to color within the lines.

In a conventional school, your child will need to learn how to pay attention to one teacher lecturing to the group. Think long circle times with one teacher talking to all the children together.

There is nothing wrong with this, of course. In a Montessori classroom, however, we believe your child deserves an education that focuses on all aspects him as a human being.
Picture
​How Montessori is Different: A Three Word Answer

Education for Life

Rather than just preparing your child for the next step in school, we seek to support his academic, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development.  We want him to be successful at life in the future, not just in kindergarten.

Take a second to imagine your child twenty years from now. What skills will he need to be successful in college, his chosen profession and in life in general?
Picture
Picture

Here is a primer. He will need to:
​
- Know how to regulate his behavior
- Control his impulses 
- Learn to plan and strategize
- Hone the ability to problem solve
- Learn to be flexible and course-correct when necessary
- Learn to take initiative 
- Develop responsibility
- Engage in depth-based thinking requiring long periods of concentration
- Work collaboratively with peers on projects  
Researchers who study the traits of successful adults coined the term for these skills: “executive functions”.
Picture
​These executive function skills, that are so important to life’s success, must be continually developed, day in and day out, or else they will not materialize. They result from the way an activity is done and the time spent doing it – pushing oneself to do better and better.
Picture
The Link Between Montessori and Executive Functions
 
Research comparing children attending Montessori schools with those attending traditional schools was conducted by University of Virginia professor, Dr. Angeline Lillard, and was published in the prestigious journal, Science, in September 2006. 
 
The result?
Picture
​Montessori students rated higher on “executive function skills”- skills like selective attention, self- control, problem solving, reasoning and not getting into trouble.
On behavioral and social tests, 5 year old Montessori children scored higher than their peers from conventional schools, showing that they had a greater sense of fairness and justice; out on the playground, they were more likely to engage more in emotionally positive play with their peers and less in rough housing.
Picture
And, yes, your child will still be ready academically for elementary school, whether in Montessori or any other program. The same study found that among the 5 year olds who were studied, Montessori children were prepared to enter first grade with strong reading and math skills. Additionally, the executive function skills gained in a  Montessori environment assist the child in making the transition to first grade. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Choice is Yours

Is Montessori worth it? You decide. You, as the parent, are charged with raising your child in the best way you see fit. What do you value? What kind of adult do you want your child to become? There are a multitude of options available to you. Only you can decide what is the best fit for your family. 
Picture
We invite you to come tour our school, speak with our director, and see for yourself the Montessori difference. We still have a few spaces available for Fall 2019. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity! Email us now to set up your personalized tour or visit our online scheduling tool. We can't wait to meet you!
Picture
All photos in this post are courtesy of Meg Porter Photography. Thank you Meg, for capturing these beautiful images from the first days of school in the Toddler Class. 
Chris Pederson link
11/17/2020 12:43:26 pm

Wow, I love how Montessori children were more prepared to enter first grade. My wife and I have decided that we want education to be a huge part of our kids' lives. I'll look into finding a Montessori school near us that has available space.

Montessori from home link
10/24/2021 10:43:55 pm

Montessori education works on the thumb rule that not every child learns at the same pace, and age will not determine their learning capabilities. Read https://montessorifromhome.learnworlds.com/blog/montessori-ways-to-teach-your-kids-time-management-guide-for-all-ages

Daviis Collins
10/1/2022 01:56:18 am

Useful article. Thanks for sharing. I know a site Kid Advance Montessori where we can find all types of Montessori material for our children. Recently I have purchased Montessori Materials for my Home from here at an affordable price. If you are interested once visit this site.


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    COLCM

    We are an AMI accredited Montessori school growing daily in spirit & intellect!

    Parenting Books

    Categories

    All
    Atrium
    Camp
    Catechesis Of The Good Shepherd
    Garden
    Growing Up
    Primary
    Toddlers

© 2020 Cross of Life Montessori
  • Programs
    • Toddler Program (15 - 36 months)
    • Primary Class (3 - 6 years)
    • Catechesis of The Good Shepherd
    • The Children's Garden
  • About Us
    • Director's Letter
    • COL Church
    • Mission Statement
    • FAQ'S
    • Staff
  • Montessori
    • Montessori Overview
    • Dr. Maria Montessori
    • Montessori Library
    • The Montessori Advantage
  • Admission
    • Virtual Tour
    • Enrollment Steps
    • Online Student Application
    • Tuition
  • Parent's Corner
    • Covid-19 Procedures
    • Parent Association >
      • PA Meetings and Teacher Appreciation Lunches
      • Pizza Days
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • February Parent Ed - Importance of the 3rd year
    • Forms >
      • Transportation Permission
      • Lunch Hour (12pm-1pm)
    • Student Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Quick Reference Page
    • Birthdays in the Primary Class
    • Class Supply Lists >
      • Toddler Snack Shopping List
      • Toddler Class Supply List
      • Toddler Snack Schedule
      • Primary Class Supply List
      • Primary Snack Shopping List
      • Primary Snack Schedule
  • Giving
    • Apogee Scholarship
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Indirect Fundraising Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Contact