We’ve made it through 2020 and we are all hoping that 2021 will be a much better year. One area that we gained a whole new perspective in is education. The traditional methods that we had grown accustomed to were challenged along with the resiliency and resolve of many of us as parents. We had the opportunity to see firsthand how our child learns, and how learning is not the same for each child.

Children are individuals. From the time they are born we can see that they have their own personalities, their own likes and dislikes, their own way of doing things, and their own way of learning things. Instead of trying to fit them into a pre-determined mold, how can we enable them to learn in a way empowers them? The answer is Montessori!

Montessori is an ideal choice because it sees each child as an individual and encourages:

Independence & confidence – In a Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to do things for themselves both in their exploration of the learning materials as well as in their care for themselves and their environment. Children feel empowered and, as a result, they develop independent thinking and confidence that will benefit them throughout their life.

Enhanced social skills – In a mixed-age Montessori classroom, children develop mentor/mentee relationships that encourage cooperation and collaboration. As the children work closely together to learn and to care for their environment, they discover the importance of mutual respect, acceptance, inclusion and community. Children in a Montessori classroom develop social skills that will help them to be active citizens in the world around them.

Individualized, Hands-on learning – The way that children learn and the pace at which they work is not “one-sized-fits-all.” In a Montessori classroom, children are provided with a variety of hands-on materials that help them practice concentration and coordination while they learn important concepts in language arts, mathematics, and more. In this environment, children can excel in the areas that they have confidence in while at the same time being able to develop in the areas where they struggle.

Learning that is fun and challenging – Children in a Montessori classroom learn using materials that teach through exploration. Montessori “work time” doesn’t feel like work. Children are not expected to sit at a desk or to work on the same “lesson” that everyone else is doing. As children explore the materials, they are appropriately challenged because the materials build on one another, introducing progressively complex skills as the child moves along.

Montessori classrooms are designed to encourage individuality and independence. Children in a Montessori classroom feel challenged and eager to succeed. They learn to celebrate the successes of their peers and they develop friendships built on mutual respect and an appreciation for differences. In a Montessori classroom, children see the learning process unfold before them in a way that gives them a love for learning. Montessori children are not just told “this is how you do it,” they are encouraged to discover how it’s done.

We chose Montessori for our son because we love the philosophy behind the method.  We love that the environment is safe, and the teachers teach the kids how to help themselves, allowing them to both have fun, and develop adaptive, social, and cognitive skills.  Watching our son grow has been impressive; he has learned how to interact with other kids his age, he eats just about anything you put in front of him, and he retains much of the subject matter from the day, such as ABCs, colors, and animal sounds!  And he isn’t even 2 yet!  We would absolutely go back and choose Montessori all over again.

Emily and Joe Gong.

As you consider childcare and preschool for the upcoming year, consider Montessori. You will be glad you did!

All Stars Montessori is an individually owned Montessori Child Care Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota. We opened our doors in 2007 because we believe wholeheartedly in the Montessori philosophy and we wanted to share what we love about it with the families in our community. We care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with an emphasis on Montessori education that sets the children up for future success. Our teachers love the children in our care and are so excited to see their eyes light up when they learn a new skill or discover a new concept because they were given the chance to explore.

If you live in the Apple Valley/Rosemount/Farmington area and are looking for a loving environment that provides foundational Montessori education, we would love to tell you more about our programs and to schedule a tour. Check out our website at www.allstarsmontessori.com or give us a call at 952-432-2422.