Grouping children up by age is something that has traditionally been done in everything from classrooms to sports teams to playdates and much more. It makes sense in many ways: cognitive, social, and physical development play a large role in how children are able to interact with one another. 

However, there are actually a number of advantages to mixing age groups with children, at least when it comes to school, which is why you’ll see children of different ages together in one classroom at a Montessori kindergarten. If you are surprised or confused by this, then take a look at the following benefits your child may be able to enjoy if you send them to a mixed-age private kindergarten.

Seeing your child off to preschool is an incredibly exciting time for any parent, but it can also be a scary one. How can you make sure that you’re sending them to a school that can provide them with the education they need to lead a happy and fulfilling life? 

Although there is always going to be a leap of faith necessary (as is the case with many facets of parenting), there are some ways to determine whether your Montessori preschool is the best option for your child or not.

Preschool students absolutely love arts and crafts. Crafts are a great way to engage their minds as well as their hands, and they allow children to think creatively while also giving them a chance to have some fun during the school day. 

If you’re looking for a way to stimulate your Montessori preschool student’s mind this fall, then consider stopping by the local craft store and grabbing some seasonal supplies for your little one. There are several easy and fun craft ideas your Montessori preschool student can enjoy this season:

Dr. Maria Montessori understood that children begin using their senses to experience their surroundings as soon as they enter the world. Sensorial adventures start at the moment a child is born. Young children are constantly improving their perception, using their senses to study their environment.

The Montessori philosophy considers the child the “sensorial explorer.” Because of this, Montessori preschools create space for children to learn and perceive qualities through experiences of the senses. Dr. Montessori developed the idea of sensorial work as education long before our modern idea of sensory play was put into practice in daycares and schools. Sensory experiences are essential to the brain development of young children, especially in the first few years of life.

When searching for your child’s first experience with group learning and organized education, it is important to understand the differences between your options. There are a number of options when it comes to child care for young learners from 18 months to 6 years old, from traditional daycare to play-based programs that prepare children for kindergarten. So, what are the major differences between Montessori early learning programs and more traditional types of child care?

Many kindergarteners find it difficult to come out of their shells in their new classroom setting, even when they are coming from a preschool class where they were able to socialize with other children and teachers. Perhaps they worry because their new Montessori private kindergarten class is bigger than their preschool class or because it has more students and classmates of different ages at different stages.

Many parents wonder what they can do to give their shy, timid child a boost when it comes to socializing in kindergarten. Whether your child is simply a quiet one or is battling pre-kindergarten anxiety that is making them clam up, here are a few tips for helping them succeed and feel comfortable in their new Montessori kindergarten classroom.

The convention of diversity comes in many shapes and forms. From race to religion, from gender to culture or physical abilities, we are all brought into this world with a host of differences that make us unique. Practicing and being aware of diversity is a useful practice in almost every area of our lives.

Because psychologists have said that children can notice differences as early as six months old, it is never too early to begin teaching children to appreciate and accept the differences of others. Embracing cultural diversity is an important skill, even at the daycare level, and in a Montessori program, that is when children begin learning about diversity.

When you think of organization in the classroom, your mind may wander to pencil cases and assignment trackers. You may think that convincing your kindergartener of the importance of keeping a neat backpack is a futile effort. However, planting seeds of organization in your child's school life can be made simple by infusing your daily routines with rewards and fun.

Organization is a fundamental part of the Montessori method, helping students establish which tasks need to be completed and in what order. Being organized is an essential skill not only for academic success but later in life as well. Organization is a fundamental aspect of play, social interaction, personal control, and academic performance in a Montessori classroom, and practicing organizational skills will help your kindergartener perform better across the board.

So, how can you help your child get organized for their time in a private kindergarten program?

For most young children, change is a difficult but necessary part of life. Change is happening all around them all the time, from transitioning from grade to grade, to learning to roll with changes in daily schedules. While it is not easy for young children to transition with a changing environment, we know that the ability to adjust to change without anxiety and fear is critical to a child’s performance in school and their everyday life. The methods developed by Dr. Maria Montessori and practiced by Montessori programs have been proven to be beneficial to students learning to adjust to challenges brought about by change.

Part of the Montessori Philosophy is to help children develop confidence, autonomy, and problem-solving skills in an ever-changing setting. These skills are helpful for young children in their education and later in life. So, how can you help your child get acclimated to the Montessori environment so they can begin learning these useful skills? Here are five ways to help your child make the jump from daycare to a Montessori preschool program without uneasiness or dread.

When deciding where to enroll their young children in school, parents often have many of the same questions. One of the most commonly asked questions when exploring the idea of entering their child into a Montessori school is, “What is the best age for a child to begin a Montessori education?” 

Several factors play into answering this question, from your child’s readiness to the methodology of the program when it comes to educating the whole child. Subtract the guesswork from your decision-making process by reading along to find out when the best time to begin a Montessori education is for your young learner.