What part does science play in the Montessori preschool classroom? Whether your child is new to Montessori or you just want to learn more about what they may do during their preschool day, take a look at the top science questions parents have answered.

Is Science Important for Young Children?

Simply stated — yes. Even though your young child won’t need to learn college-level physics concepts or explore the intricacies of microbiology yet, science is an essential part of the early childhood education environment. More specifically, science can help the young child to:

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The benefits of technology are undeniable, but as we foster our young child’s educational experience, we must decide how much technology the child becomes exposed to at a young age. As technology use grows in public schools, consider the benefits of a tech-free kindergarten classroom, similar to options found at various Montessori schools.

Learn how a tech-free class will benefit your child at a young age and the positive options that come with a tech-free class.

1. Motor Skill Development

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Why does your child need unstructured play? While highly structured, teacher-led activities may dominate the traditional classroom, this isn’t the only effective early childhood education option. If you want to know more about how your child learns through unstructured opportunities, take a look at the what’s and why’s of this type of play and how it fits into the world of Montessori.

What Is Unstructured Play?

Unstructured play is exactly what the name implies: play, minus the structure. Instead of a teacher who dictates specific types of activities or ways to play, unstructured periods are open for the child to explore and take the lead. Sometimes known as open-ended play, unstructured play could include (but isn’t limited to):

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Enrolling your child in a preschool can yield many great benefits, such as helping your child learn how to socialize and self-regulate. Children who attend a preschool may also have a leg up on other students since they typically have an increased vocabulary and a foundation of counting and pattern recognition. If you aren’t sure which preschool program to pursue, consider Montessori education.

The Montessori Method was developed by educator Maria Montessori, and her philosophy was that because children are eager to learn, they can initiate and direct their learning in a supportive environment.

Instead of just having your young child sit at a desk and receive instruction, a Montessori program provides lots of activities that can help your child develop his or her motor skills.

What Are Motor Skills?

Motor skills is a broad term that refers to the development of muscle movement in the body. The development of motor skills helps your child’s cognitive development and helps him or her explore the world.

Motor skills can be divided up into different categories, such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and sensory development.

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Is Montessori right for your child? If you need more information on this non-traditional style of school, take a look at the top questions parents have about Montessori and the educational approach behind it.

What Are the Main Differences Between Montessori and Traditional Education?

Unlike your local public school, Montessori schools are grounded in one specific educational approach. Montessori schools were founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s and use a prepared environment, multi-age classrooms, and active, student-centered lessons and activities. Instead of the teacher dictating what the students do, the children make the choices, explore, and create their own learning process.

Unlike the frequent content changes found in the traditional school’s period-by-period learning structure, Montessori schools use longer uninterrupted work periods. These allow the child to experiment and immerse themselves in whatever they’re currently learning. As the child explores, the teacher acts as a guide. This helps the individual student to learn in their own way, at their own pace.

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Your baby is years away from reading books by themselves or adding equations. But that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start their education. Take a look at what’s, why’s, and how’s of Montessori learning in the earliest years.

What Is Montessori Education for Infants?

Most Montessori schools start infant education as early as six-weeks of age. Even though your infant can go to “school,” this doesn’t mean Montessori babies learn in the same way older children do. But these classrooms or communities for the youngest students do follow the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori and the educational philosophy she created.

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