Why Choose A Full-Time Montessori Preschool For Your Child?

Should your child go to a full- or part-time Montessori preschool program? If you’re not sure which option is the right choice, take a look at the advantages of all-day or five-day school week for your pre-k child.

Regular Routine

The Montessori classroom is unlike any other school (or often home) environment. In these classrooms young children can choose activities, work at their own pace, and guide their own learning process.

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Painting, Preschoolers, and the Montessori Classroom

In the Montessori classroom, painting means more. What can you expect from your child’s first experiences with temperas, watercolors, and other paint products? Take a look at the answers to some of the top preschool painting questions.

How Is Painting Different in the Montessori Classroom?

Montessori classrooms (and the teachers) encourage exploration. Your child is central to their education and is the leader of the learning experience. This means you won’t find ready-made art projects that children are instructed to piece together. You also won’t find strict painting instruction or a teacher who tells your child what to create.

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Questions to Ask Your Preschooler After Their Montessori Day

You carefully chose Montessori as a preferred preschool program for your child. But at the end of their school day, they get into the car and say absolutely nothing. What can you do to learn more about your child’s day? Take a look at the top conversation starters that will get your child talking.

What Activities Did You Choose?

Unlike traditional school classrooms, Montessori preschools provide young children with the chance to make their own choices. This fosters a sense of independence in learning — and in life. Instead of the teacher scheduling specific activities (such as finger painting or block play) throughout the day, Montessori educators provide their students with options.

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What to Expect From Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development

Montessori preschool helps a young child to grow into a capable, knowledgeable, independent person. Whether you’re new to Montessori or not, understanding your preschooler’s development can help you to better work with the teacher, set expectations, and provide the most support possible.

Take a look at the major emotional and social milestones for three- to five-year-olds and how Montessori can help your child to reach them. (more…)

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Separation Anxiety and the Montessori Classroom

Whether your child spent their first few years at home or in a traditional daycare center, starting Montessori preschool is a change. If your child is resistant or anxious about starting Montessori, take a look at the simple steps to ease the transition.

Understand the Issue

The tears and please to not leave are upsetting for any parent. But your child’s anxious behavior isn’t permanent. Separation anxiety is a normal reaction to a new situation. Unlike infants or younger toddlers, who can’t process or identify their anxious feelings, your preschool-aged child can.This may make morning tantrums seem unnecessary or even babyish.

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Creating a Peace Corner at Home

Child playing with a small tabletop zen garden in a peace corner

A Peace Corner is a small, safe space where a child may choose to go to exercise self-regulation of their emotions. Our Children’s Houses have a Peace Corner. We suggest the following for creating a Peace Corner in your home:
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Why Choose Montessori?

Your child’s life-long learning experiences start now. If you’re not sure where your toddler or preschooler’s educational experiences should begin, take a look at the reasons to consider Montessori schools.

A Time-Tested Method

Montessori is a method with a rich history. In 1907 Dr. Maria Montessori opened her first Casa dei Bambini, or “children’s house.” The Italian physician and educator used a scientific approach to children’s learning to better understand what a quality environment looked like.
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How Your SPD Kindergartener Will Benefit From a Montessori School

Having a child with sensory processing disorder can be frustrating, especially in regard to school issues. Children with SPD often have issues with focusing on current tasks, transitioning into new projects, or motor skill problems, such as holding a pencil, scissors, or other school-related items.

In a traditional classroom setting, your child with sensory processing disorder can be seen as disruptive, overly emotional, or academically challenged. In reality, your little one is really just trying to take in the world in bits and pieces or all at once, depending on whether they are a sensory introvert or an active seeker. (more…)

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Montessori Kindergarten from a Miniapple International Montessori Family’s Perspective

We recently interviewed a graduate of the Miniapple Montessori kindergarten program and her family about their experience with Montessori kindergarten. Elyse is now in third grade and currently attends public school.

Miniapple: If you had to do it again, would you choose Miniapple for kindergarten or would you have wanted to be at your current school with your friends? (more…)

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How Are Montessori Educators Different From Traditional Teachers?

The Montessori classroom is unlike any other educational environment. The child-centered, sensory-friendly setting is engaging, interesting, and led by a teacher who is unlike any other educator. How are Montessori teachers different from traditional teachers? Take a look at the top things that Montessori educators do differently.

Acting as a Guide

In a traditional classroom, the teacher often serves as the instructor. Standing in front of the students, the teacher leads the class by directing the children. Telling the students what, how, and when to learn isn’t part of the Montessori teacher’s repertoire. (more…)

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