Social Skills in Montessori Classrooms

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Building social skills as a young child helps lay the foundation for good social skills as an adult. Children learn to communicate, show respect, and how to express their feelings in a reasonable manner.

Along with teaching your child social skills at home, you have the ability to expand their knowledge through a Montessori kindergarten classroom. Montessori classes offer several benefits over a traditional school, and a number of these benefits have to do with social interactions.

See all of these benefits and the ways they can help your child thrive socially.

Small Teacher to Student Ratios

In a large kindergarten class, children who are shy or lack proper social skills may easily get lost in the mix. During a busy school day, the child may have few chances to speak up, interact personally with the teacher, and grow socially.

In a Montessori classroom, a child’s goals are accessed individually. Before their time in the classroom starts, an evaluation will determine what social areas a teacher needs to focus on. A smaller teacher-to-student ratio than public schools makes the learning easier for the child as they get direct focus and can harness their social skills.

The more the child gets to communicate and talk, the more they can express their needs and grow through social interactions.

Open Student Interactions

In a Montessori classroom, a child is not stuck at a desk or table all throughout the day. Getting called on to answer questions does not showcase the same social skills one would have through natural interactions. The open classroom and various zones allow a student to explore and engage with social interactions away from a forced setting.

For example, a child may be more comfortable building blocks and exploring a garden while talking and interacting. Being forced in a seat and put on the spot could increase the child’s anxiety and cause them to shut down instead of being more social. In a Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to explore the different zones of a classroom and learn in a different way than a standard class. Not only does the educational experience increase, but social interactions flow more naturally.

Children have the ability to build bonds with other students and expand socially through the various zones. The learning areas allow children to find common interests and engage in social interactions that include more than verbal communications.

Physical reaction, the use of hands, and body language all play key parts in social development. Hands-on activities at Montessori schools help with these aspects. The early learning through kindergarten classrooms goes a long way in teaching children both social and educational development.

Summer Programs

As a child builds their social skills, the last thing parents want to worry about is regression. The long break during the summer of traditional schools may cause a child to lose out on the daily interactions they once had. To help keep social skills growing, Montessori schools often have a wide range of summer programs.

Through summer classes, children expand beyond the class to learn and socialize through a variety of outdoor activities. Children may play sports, explore nature, and try other various hobbies. Being around other students will help them grow socially and build a foundation of skills to use in future years.

As the child enters another year at school, the adjustment and transition period will be easier for them as they understand various social skills and are able to speak up for themselves. Summer programs may go on a weekly basis or last for monthly sessions through the summer.

Visit our classrooms at Miniapple International Montessori Schools to see how your child will grow socially through our program.