The benefits of Child’s first school or the Montessori is to emphasis on independent learning, inspiring confidence, nurture the child's innate desire for learning, discovery, and social interaction skills in an environment where teachers are encouraging, engaging and value the individual child. The preparation of formative pedagogy requires 5 elemental components in first 3 years (3- 6 yo age). Those are physical, intellectual, instructional, moral, & spiritual.
Dr. Maria Montessori said - Children learn best in a mixed age classroom while developing uniquely social experiences. Unlike some private schools, Montessori strives for very small classes that might include 20 – 30 students, for individual attention. A mixed, multi-age class encourages students to rely on themselves and their peers as resources. It helps to believe in their abilities to accomplish any task. Older students are proud to act as role models; younger ones feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead. Children are given freedom to choice over their activities in the classroom and are encouraged & supported to “do it for them.” I experienced, Parents usually asks, whether the school has separate classes or not! An ideal Montessori Method never encourages structured classrooms with much furniture.
Choose school that has parent & Child- centric curriculum. Ensure the school has a safety measures, discipline policy, not only high end infrastructure. Parents should see the ambience that suit child's normal upbringing environment. The arrangements should not be too fancy or unrealistic. The prepared environment in a Montessori is carefully readied and organized for children. The Montessori materials are a set of scientifically designed hands-on learning devices as per age appropriate. The learning toys /materials for young children are generally made of safe organic woods free from chemicals such as in plastics.
Check with the strength of Student s/ teacher ratio (12/1) as per area of the school. Often the teacher-to-child ratio for this youngest age group is set by state licensing standards. Check the qualifications of all teachers as they have trained in ECCE, NTT, minimum of 6 months experience at least. Montessori schools teaches basic skills, values as traditional schools & subject areas are such as math, science, geography, and language—but they are taught via integrated approach, interrelating to each other weaving the curriculum together. The facilitator or teacher’s role is to observe each child’s personalized learning plan at an appropriate pace and level of challenge.
Montessori never encourages ranking or in competitions & other external rewards which have little lasting effect on a child’s efforts or achievements. Assessment is detailed, & personalized for each student, unlike standardized tests in higher classes. While conversation, parents observe - where the principal/admin wants to focus either on package detail, fancy book sets or about the welfare of child. Usually a competent Educationalist asks about the Child’s strength or skills, interests, fear or concerns, in open & honest conversation.
As, yet the fees structure is still arbitrary in unaided private schools, check with fees package comparing other schools, the money should worthies you apart from brand value and the budget. Keep observing about the credibility of the school in their webpages, social forum, involvements or achievements. Last not least, ensure the school has a safety measures & discipline policy. Request for a short school tour inside the school once you decide to take admission for your child. Last not least, if you can hear children's voice more, it is a good school. Children are happy.
Article by
Tumpa Datta Gupta
Educator - Founder - Blogger
Green Wings Pre-school Educational Network
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