Is a Montessori Daycare As Good as I Have Heard?

There is a respectable amount of research that suggests that a Montessori-style private kindergarten--typically starting in daycare-- can be effective for certain outcomes compared to other teaching systems, but more research is needed to fully understand the impact of Montessori education compared to other systems. For now, here are 3 areas where Montessori seems to excel:

1. Executive Functioning

Several studies have found that Montessori kindergarten can improve children's executive functioning skills, such as working memory, self-regulation, and cognitive flexibility, compared to traditional education methods.

2. Academic Achievement

Some studies have found that Montessori students perform as well as or better than students in traditional education systems on academic achievement measures such as standardized tests.

3. Social and Emotional Development

Montessori education has been found to promote positive social behaviors and emotional development in children, such as increased empathy, cooperation, and emotional regulation.

The Parental Role

Additionally, the effectiveness of Montessori education may depend on the quality of implementation and teacher training, but the role of parents in the Montessori Method cannot be understated. To better illustrate parental roles, here are a few tips for incorporating Montessori into your home:

1. Communicate with the Teachers - Building a positive relationship with your child's Montessori teacher is key to ensuring your child's success. Take time to speak with your child's teacher regularly to stay informed about your child's progress, and share any concerns or questions you may have.

2. Trust the Process - The Montessori method is designed to promote independent learning and self-discovery, so it's important to trust the process and allow your child to learn at their own pace. Encourage your child to choose their own activities and pursue their interests, and resist the urge to intervene or control their learning experience.

3. Provide Consistency - Consistency is important for young children, and maintaining a routine can help them feel secure and confident. Make sure your child is getting enough rest, exercise, and healthy meals, and try to establish a consistent schedule for drop-off and pick-up.

4. Create a Supportive Environment - In addition to the Montessori daycare environment, it's important to create a supportive home environment that promotes learning and exploration. Provide your child with age-appropriate toys, books, and activities, and encourage them to explore the world around them.

5. Participate in the Community - Getting involved in your child's Montessori community can help you stay informed and connected. Attend school events and parent-teacher conferences, and consider volunteering or participating in fundraising efforts.

When parents, teachers, and students work together, the Montessori Method is a force to be reckoned with. It is well-known for producing children who are polite, capable, and who exhibit a strong sense of self-worth and personal responsibility.

3 Early Math Concepts for Children in Montessori Private Kindergarten

A private kindergarten is a great place for young kids to begin learning about math. Through hands-on activities that keep them engaged, kindergartners practice sorting, counting, comparing, and working with different shapes. Children tend to thrive in a self-directed environment, including learning vital concepts like math, science, and language. There is a lot to learn, including how to count money, but these 3 skills are the foundation everything is built on.

1. Numbers and Comparisons

Number sense is the understanding of numbers and their relationships. Children in Montessori kindergarten learn to count, recognize numbers, and understand the concepts of more and less. They also learn about quantity, such as that a group of five objects is more than a group of three objects. Through hands-on activities, children develop an understanding of numbers and their meaning. Before graduating into 1st grade, Montessori children will be able to count, write their numbers, and sort like and different objects.

2. Numerical Operations

Operations refer to mathematical operators such as add and subtract. In Montessori private kindergarten, children are introduced to these concepts through hands-on activities such as the golden beads, where they physically manipulate objects to understand addition and subtraction. They learn to add and subtract using concrete objects before moving on to more abstract concepts. Children are encouraged to make as much progress in mathematics as they are comfortable with, often leading to Montessori students learning basic multiplication and division long before they are developmentally expected to do so.

3. Basic Geometry

This is the study of shapes, sizes, and positions of objects. In Montessori private kindergarten, children learn about geometry through activities such as building with blocks, sorting and matching shapes, and identifying shapes in the environment. They also learn about spatial relationships, such as above, below, next to, and behind. Through these activities, children develop an understanding of geometry concepts and learn to describe and identify shapes and their attributes. Geometry will lead to concepts like volume in the future, when children will learn to calculate and measure how fluids fill objects.

Montessori schools are all about early childhood development, from academics to social interactions. Learning an assortment of mathematical applications is an important part of early development as well because math is inextricably linked to so much of the child's world. From counting coins to measuring recipe ingredients, every opportunity for practical math application gives children a head start on more advanced academics.