Will your child start a new Montessori preschool program soon? If this is your young learner’s first experience with Montessori, take a look at the easy ways to prepare them for the start of a new educational journey.

Do You Need To Take Special Prep Steps for Preschool?

The answer to this question depends on your child, their temperament, and how comfortable they feel starting a new school. In general, preschool prep can help a young child to learn more about their new school environment, understand what will happen during the school day, and ease the anxiety they may have about a change in their routine, new people in their life, or anything else.

While a few simple prep steps can help to smooth the home-to-preschool transition, you don’t necessarily have to follow a strict pattern. The type of preparation your child needs depends on who they are, how they learn, the questions/concerns they have, and whether this is their first experience with school or not.

If your child went to a non-Montessori daycare or early learning center, you should prepare them for this change. Even though Montessori preschools may look similar to traditional pre-k programs, they are different from other educational environments. Montessori preschools take an individualized approach to learning, use different materials, and have a different type of classroom schedule (the uninterrupted work period).

How Can You Prepare Your Child for Montessori Preschool at Home?

Start with an at-home discussion about this transition. Your child may have questions—and you will need to help them to learn more about their new school.

By age three (the start of the preschool years), many young children have developed the ability to identify basic emotions, express their emotions verbally, listen to and process information, recall information, think critically, and ask questions. This means it’s possible for your child to take part in a conversation about this transition.

You don’t have to provide your child with the history of Dr. Maria Montessori or the educational research behind the benefits of Montessori preschools. Instead, discuss the basics in a way that makes sense to your child. The specifics of this conversation and the approach you take will depend on your child’s developmental level and ability to comprehend information.

Consider using a concrete approach to the discussion. Show your child Montessori materials or act out/role play a day in school with them. These types of prep steps can help your child to learn more about their future preschool and may encourage them to ask questions.

Should You Visit the Montessori Preschool?

Yes, you should schedule a visit to the preschool. Your child should see their new educational environment and meet their teacher. This can help them to better understand the changes that will happen and feel more comfortable with their new school.

If possible, schedule a visit while there are children in the Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House (the three-to-six-year-old Montessori preschool room). This gives your child a chance to see Montessori education in action and may help them to meet some of their soon-to-be friends.

What Else Can You Do To Prepare Your Child for Preschool?

Montessori education encourages independence. Your child will think independently and will act independently as they explore, create, and make their own discoveries in the Montessori preschool classroom.

The pre-preschool period is the perfect time to ease your child into their first steps towards independence. Instead of doing for them, step back and watch as your child makes their own choices, dresses themself, and puts away their own playthings.

Do you want to learn more about Montessori preschool? Contact Miniapple International Montessori School for more information.