What You Need to Know About the Nido

Playing — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International MontessoriIs Montessori the right type of program for your infant? If this is your first experience with an early learning and care setting, take a look at what you need to know about infant development, the first steps towards your child’s education, and the Montessori philosophy.

What Are Montessori Infant Programs Called?

Montessori education features its own vocabulary. Preschoolers ages three through six are grouped into the Montessori Children’s House — or casa dei bambini. An infant isn’t old enough to participate in the Children’s House early learning environment, but they can still go to a Montessori school. Infants attend the Montessori Nido, which is Italian for nest. However, not all Montessori schools use this terminology.

Do Montessori Infant Programs Provide Child Care?

Montessori programs aren’t all equal or the same. Some programs provide Monday through Friday full-day child care. Other programs offer an education-focused curriculum on a part-time (partial week and partial day) basis. (more…)

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The Dos and Don’ts of Finding Your First Montessori School

Kids Collaboration — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

Is your child ready to start school? More specifically, are they ready to start a Montessori school? If you are unsure which program is the right choice, look at the dos and don’ts that can help you to select the perfect preschool program for your family’s needs.

Do Learn More About the Montessori Method

Are you sure Montessori is the right fit for your young child? The more you learn about Montessori preschools, the better equipped you are to make an informed decision. If this is your first experience with early learning and Montessori schools, you can learn more about this educational method from: (more…)

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How a Montessori Preschool Can Help a Child Who Needs More Time

Boy Learning New Skill — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

Does your child need more time to master new skills? Every child learns and grows at their own pace. If the daily schedule of a traditional classroom doesn’t meet your preschooler’s needs, take a look at what you need to know about the benefits of a Montessori early childhood education (preschoolers ages three through six).

The Self-Paced Learning Environment

Montessori schools allow young children to take the lead and learn at their own pace. While this strategy isn’t an academic or educational free-for-all, the Montessori philosophy does give preschoolers the opportunity to build skills and explore content in ways that make sense for their own developmental needs.

In Montessori early childhood classrooms, teachers don’t stop students in the middle of a learning experience or push them to follow a strict schedule. Instead of a timed approach to each new lesson, activity, or exploration, Montessori schools use an uninterrupted work period. As the name implies, this period gives children the chance to work without the teacher interrupting their progress or process. (more…)

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The Benefits of a Montessori Summer Camp Experience

Summer Camp — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International MontessoriWhy should your school-aged child go to summer camp? If you’re not sure what your child should do when school is done for the year, take a look at the reasons to choose a Montessori day camp.

Build Confidence

Summer camp is a fun-filled way to spend out-of-school days — and so much more. Montessori education provides children with a way to learn and develop new skills in a self-paced environment. This helps young students to take control of their own education and build confidence.

Even though a summer-time program may not have the same structure or content you would see in a regular school-year classroom, the philosophy behind Montessori summer camp is still the same. The child-centered nature of Montessori education combined with the fun and freedom of a summer camp create the ideal environment for your child to develop the self-esteem they need to believe in themselves and their abilities. (more…)

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How to Choose a Summer Camp for Your School-Aged Child

Summer Camp — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

How should you choose a summer camp for your school-aged child? If you’re not sure what your young student should do when school is out, take a look at the questions to ask before you select a summertime program.

Where Does Your Child Go to School?

Montessori students often start in the infant, toddler or early preschool years and continue into kindergarten. If your child is an existing Montessori student, a summer camp at their school:

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4 Ways Children Learn Through Camp Gardening Programs

Kids in the Garden — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

Enrolling your child in a summer camp program offers an extension of traditional learning with a setting outside the classroom. With more room to explore and learn, children may choose an activity like gardening to participate in. Gardening offers a lot of ways for children to learn and grow, both independently and as a group.

Learn about the benefits of gardening and the different elements a child will learn throughout the whole summer.

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4 Reasons to Keep Your Child on the Montessori Track for Kindergarten

Little Boy in the Floor Using Letter Tiles to Spell Words — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

An excellent early education equips children with valuable skills that spell success for the rest of their lives. The important learning that happens in kindergarten, especially, can help with greater school readiness and subsequent adult success.

Making the decision to continue your child’s Montessori education beyond preschool is not only a beneficial step on the elementary school journey, but it also builds upon and cements concepts learned during their prior years in Montessori.

Take a look at how keeping your child in Montessori for their kindergarten year can continue to shape your child into a curious lifelong learner with a strong scholastic foundation, ready to skillfully succeed in the rest of their school career. (more…)

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How Can You Connect Your Child’s Montessori School and At-Home Education?

Cute little boy Playing Pumpkin Toy — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

Can you extend your child’s Montessori education into the home environment? Early learning doesn’t stop at the end of the preschool day. Take a look at the easy ways to connect school and home, create consistency, and help your child to develop in Montessori-friendly ways.

Celebrate Holidays the Montessori Way

From Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa to the Fourth of July (and everything in between), you can use holidays as a starting point for Montessori education at home. To celebrate the next holiday at home in a way that reinforces what (and how) your child learns in school:

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4 Advantages of an Outdoor Montessori Classroom

Outdoor Classroom — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

The traditional classroom experience includes indoor learning, but there are many Montessori schools that offer an outdoor classroom setting. An outdoor classroom expands beyond the typical outdoor time found during recess or gym. True classroom time is dedicated to the outdoors, and students can gain a lot of knowledge from the experience.

Learn about the advantages of an outdoor classroom and the skills your child will learn through an outdoor setting based at a Montessori school.

1. Learn Gardening Skills

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What Preschool Program Is the Right Match for Your Child?

Preschool Program — Minneapolis, MN — Miniapple International Montessori

What do you want for your child’s education? With an array of academic options available, the first step in your child’s early education isn’t always easy to make. But with the right information you can simplify the process. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the top questions to ask yourself and your child’s potential future preschool.

How Does Your Child Learn?

Every child is an individual — and that means your preschooler has a learning style that’s all their own. Watch your child as they play, explore, and create at home, and ask yourself:

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