Your child is an individual. His or her learning and development is important to you. That’s why you’re taking your time, finding the “just right” educational environment for your child. Even though there are a seemingly endless array of schools with different educational philosophies and curriculum-focused programs, a Montessori education is a choice that can benefit your child for a lifetime. Part of the Montessori experience is the opportunity for children to express themselves creatively through art. Art isn’t just all finger paintings and clay play. It’s a way for a young child to explore, make discoveries ,and develop critical skills. If you understand the types of art activities your child chooses to participate in at school, you can better understand what he or she is doing all day. It can also help you to continue the education at home with your own Montessori-inspired art activities. What does art look like in the Montessori environment? It doesn’t look like worksheets with perfect inthe-lines crayon colorings. Take a look at what you can expect from the Montessori classroom’s art activities. Freedom to Choose Instructing the students to sit and color portraits,or  paint pictures of their homes or collage flowers isn’t how art in the Montessori classroom works. Teacher-directed art-making may be the norm in some schools, but in Montessori schools the emphasis is on encouraging the students to make their own choices and explore for themselves. Instead of telling the students, “make this” or, “don’t make that,” the Montessori teacher provides plenty of options and the freedom to choose. The teacher might place an array of art materials or activities on a low shelf. The children can then choose what activities they want to do and decide on how they’re going to use the art materials. This method of art education allows for plenty of experimentation, spontaneity and freedom through creativity. Art Material Ideas What types of materials will you find in the Montessori classroom? There is no easy answer to this question. To start with, teachers typically provide a variety of materials. Again, this offers the chance for children to choose what they use. Many of the materials you’ll find in a Montessori classroom are open-ended. This means that they don’t have one “use.” Instead of using coloring pages that require the children to add specific hues in specific spots, open-ended art materials allow for multiple different uses. For example, a tray of brightly colored paints with different sizes of brushes and rollers provides plenty of opportunities for the children to paint in any way they choose. They can mix colors, splatter the paint, swipe long lines, roll different textures or even finger paint. Along with paints, you’ll find that plenty of other art materials (including ones that you may have at home)  have open-ended uses. Your child can draw with a set of crayons, make abstract lines, unwrap them and roll them over the paper or dot them onto delicate pieces of tissue paper. Modeling clay is another material that is easy for children to experiment with. They can sculpt with it, spread it out finger paint style, press other items into it or get creative and make patterned textures with craft sticks. Materials are often presented on trays together in montessori schools, creating an aesthetically appealing array for the child to choose from and use. Creativity Art in the Montessori classroom isn’t designed come with the intention to hang a mini masterpiece on the fridge. You can always display your child’s art, but the idea is to let your child create and not to force him or her into making ‘something special’ for you. Supporting creativity takes time, patience and the willingness to step back and let the child explore without your direct help. Think of art as a hands-off activity for you and a hands-on activity for your child. If you’re interested in learning more about Montessori and how it can benefit your child, Joyous Montessori has answers to your questions.

It isn’t easy deciding which preschool to send your child to. There tend to be a variety of different alternatives available in any given community, with some featuring a different style of teaching and learning than others. There are a number of benefits to attending Montessori schools, with some children gaining an advantage from this learning environment starting in preschool. The Basics Montessori educational programs focus on child-centered learning in which the child chooses an activity within a limited number of developmentally-appropriate alternatives and works on this activity uninterrupted for as long as the child wants, learning through discovery rather than lectures. The teacher is there to help, but not to lead, and there are no tests or grades involved in a Montessori program. Classrooms are often mixed in age, with older kids helping younger ones. Social Development Benefits One study published in 2006 found that students in Montessori programs tended to have better social and behavioral development than their peers who attend traditional schools, and Montessori students received similar scores (if not better scores) in reading and math. The mixed age Montessori classrooms and the emphasis on learning to get along with and respect the rights of the other students help children’s social skills develop. Self-Concept Benefits Because the Montessori education system focuses on the whole child, not just on academics, it’s also beneficial for helping children develop their self-concept, which means that they understand who they are and how they fit into the world. If children feel good about themselves they tend to do better overall, in their personal and academic lives. Once a negative self-concept is developed, it can be hard to change, so it’s important for children to feel good about themselves. Math and Science Benefits Another study, published in 2003, found that students who had attended Montessori schools from preschool to fifth grade had higher high school math and science scores than those with  similar background in the same school district who attended traditional schools. This finding could be because the specially designed Montessori materials can be particularly helpful for understanding math and science concepts, such as how squaring or cubing affects numbers. Benefits of Learning Other Important Skills One thing that stands out about Montessori education is that from an early age children are taught to do things independently, seek out knowledge, assess their own work and correct their own mistakes. Children are also taught the importance of order and to put things away when they’re done with them. All of these skills help children to become successful in their later educational endeavors and lifelong learners. Child Personality Considerations No one school is right for every child, so it’s a good idea to take your child’s temperament and personality into consideration. For children who tend to be loud, very active, prefer imagination-based play and do not like to follow instructions, Montessori programs may not be the best choice. The Montessori style of education works well with children who prefer quiet, those who can do well working on their own and those with special needs. Credential Considerations Because the term Montessori isn’t copyrighted, any school could theoretically say that they’re a Montessori school. Look for one with teachers that have been Montessori trained, have learned these educational methods, and know how to use them in the classrooms. Montessori schools should also embrace a strong cultural emphasis, teaching children to respect other cultures. Montessori schools are easier to find for younger children than older children. If you have a preschoolage child and want to learn more about a Montessori education, contact the professionals at Joyous Montessori for information about the programs available. This will help you determine whether a Montessori preschool is right for you and your child.

The early childhood years are a time when children make rapid leaps in their development that influence their personality. From entering the world as a helpless infant to becoming an active part of the classroom community and your family, your child is making tremendous strides every day. As a parent, one of your biggest goals is to cultivate an independent mindset that helps your child mature into a successful adult. Partnering with your child’s Montessori teacher is a great way to make sure your child’s developmental needs are met. As you prepare to enroll your child in a Montessori program, you can look forward to watching your child thrive as their teacher uses these strategies to promote his/her independence. Promote Language Development The Montessori philosophy recognizes that young children instinctively understand their needs and possess a natural desire to learn. In the earliest stages of life, your child is a silent observer who takes in cues from their environment to stimulate their learning. As your child matures, they naturally begin to want to become more involved in the world around them by engaging in communication. Montessori teachers are trained to recognize the importance of language development for young children, and they encourage children to develop the language skills they need to express their needs. In the classroom, you will hear teachers using positive language when they speak with children. For instance, they may avoid saying no to a child by instead presenting them with acceptable options, such as putting together a puzzle rather than running in the classroom. Teachers also avoid talking down to children with baby talk. Although your child’s teacher always maintains a soothing voice, they use rich vocabulary to expose children to new words that expand their language skills. Your child’s efforts at speech are also rewarded with prompt responses that demonstrate respect for their opinions. Encourage Self-Help Skills Children are naturally eager to learn how to begin performing the tasks that they have observed others doing during their early years of life. For instance, your child may ask to help set the table or insist on putting on their own clothes. Montessori classrooms are set up to support a child’s desire to do things independently. For instance, you will notice that your child learns and eats at child-sized tables, and that the shelves are at an appropriate height allowing your child to put away their learning materials independently. Montessori teachers are also sensitive to a child’s abilities and provide age-appropriate activities that help them develop the skills they need to manage tasks with minimal frustration. Lessons are given in step-by-step increments until a child is able to master an entire procedure. For instance, your child may begin by learning to put his/her coat in their cubby. Then, they will progress to learning how to put the coat on by themselves. Finally, they will learn how to fasten their buttons or zip it coat up by themselves. Be Attentive to the Child’s Needs Every child is recognized as a unique individual in his/her classroom who may at times prefer to play alone or in a group. For this reason, classrooms include lots of space for children to make choices during their day with plenty of time to complete every activity. A day in your child’s Montessori program is designed to be unhurried. This way, your child can practice his/her new skills without feeling rushed. Whether the child needs a few extra moments to help wipe up a spill or they need a new activity because they mastered the first one quickly, a teacher is always ready to guide your child with sensitivity. Our staff at Joyous Montessori is always ready to give parents ideas on ways to promote independence at home as well. Contact us today to find out how our program can enhance your child’s development.