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Research has shown that a great deal of learning and development happens before children even reach kindergarten age. Young children are curious and constantly learning. A good way to foster that desire for learning is to put your child in a good preschool program. It can be stressful to try and decide which kind of preschool is right for your child. You may have heard of a Montessori preschool in Laguna Niguel and been curious to know more about this teaching style and philosophy. This article will explore the history behind the Montessori philosophy and go over the main points to help you decide if this would be the best early education for your child. Background of Montessori Method The Montessori method of education was founded by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, in the early 1900s. Montessori observed that children learn through play and that a child's play is their work and should be used to help develop skills and knowledge of the world around them. With the right environment, designed to foster learning, children can teach themselves much of what they need to know to have a strong foundation when they enter grade school. Montessori observed that children seem highly motivated to learn, particularly when they are able to direct that learning and work with objects and activities that they find interesting. What Does The Classroom Look Like? You might wonder what this style of learning will look like in a classroom. Is it chaotic? Are children really able to direct their own learning, especially at such a young age? In order for this method to work best, the space needs to be well designed. The classroom should have a variety of activities and projects that are designed to teach specific skills. Children are given choices and are able to work on things that interest them, but that does not mean that they are left without structure. Adults in the room act as guides for the children, helping to facilitate learning and foster interest. Teachers avoid directing all the learning and dictating activities to the kids. If there is a project that a student is unfamiliar with, the teacher will give a lesson to the student on that project. Then the student can take the project down and work on it anytime, alone or with friends. The classroom remains well organized, and students always clean up the workspace once they are finished with a project. Is It Right for You? Here are some questions you might want to consider as you try to decide whether a Montessori school would be the right fit for your child. Does your child like to play independently? Does he or she follow directions well and have a good attention span? If so, the Montessori method might be a great way to foster that independence, can-do attitude, and confidence in your child. While children can work independently on projects, one of the goals of the Montessori method is to provide students opportunities to work with other children of varying ages and develop important social skills. These preschools generally have a wider age-range in the classroom when compared with other preschools. Children learn how to compromise and work together in real-life situations instead of manufactured ones created by teachers. It is always a good idea to go visit any preschool where you are considering enrolling your child. Find a Montessori preschool in Laguna Niguel and schedule a visit as you work on making the decision to find the program that will be the perfect fit for your child.
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