Parenting Resources and Articles

Parenting Resources and Articles

The Montessori method of education focuses on the natural development of the child, where hands-on learning and character development are the mainstays of teaching and learning. Teachers guide their students using a more child-centered approach than traditional schools. In Montessori schools, children are actively encouraged to explore, play, and learn alongside their peers through activities that stimulate autonomy, challenge, creativity and mastery.

As parents, it can be difficult to know when it's time for your children to move on to the next developmental stage in their lives, especially when you're considering whether they're ready to enter preschool. There are no hard and fast rules for school readiness in young children, but there are some signs that your child may be ready for the new challenges of preschool.

Based on Italian physician Maria Montessori’s psychological research, the Montessori method is a popular and well-respected style of child-led education. As an educator, Dr. Montessori observed that when children are allowed the freedom to explore their own interests, they are more likely to enjoy learning and seek out education for themselves. Following Dr. Montessori's techniques, many educators now split their teaching environments into five crucial areas of the Montessori classroom to encourage self-led learning.

Research has shown that exposing children to the right types of music improves their speech development, vocabulary, social interactions, confidence, and memory. Strong early childhood development builds the foundation children need to be confident as they take on new challenges and situations in their later years. Choosing the right music for preschoolers is a big part of achieving this important task and ensuring their overall success in life.

The Montessori method of education focuses on the natural development of the child, where hands-on learning and character development are the mainstays of teaching and learning. Teachers guide their students using a more child-centered approach than traditional schools. In Montessori schools, children are actively encouraged to explore, play, and learn alongside their peers through activities that stimulate autonomy, challenge, creativity and mastery.

Participating in a running event, gymnastics competition, or academic decathlon all require specific training. But when it comes to natural bodily functions, it’s time to say goodbye to antiquated terms like potty training and toilet training. 

​​​​The Montessori method emphasizes childhood independence and encourages children to explore their interests in an engaging, supportive way. Montessori schools guide students through self-directed learning and utilize specially developed activities and materials. There are some common Montessori activities you'll notice in just about every school, and that's because these activities promote hands-on learning and discovery. 

One of my favorite commercials, even though it is simple and sentimental, is the MasterCard ad that shows family time or human interactions and calls them priceless. To me, Montessori education is priceless in the same way. It is beautiful, comprehensive, and, in its most authentic form, a treasure of experiences that leads a child to absorb the wonder and joy of learning.

Our school values – Community, Character, Authenticity, Respect and Excellence – guide what we do every day at Richmond Montessori School. We strive to instill our values in our staff, students, and parents. They create a sturdy foundation for a learning environment where our children can thrive academically, emotionally, socially and morally.

When most parents hear the word “Montessori”, their first thought is… well, what is it? The Montessori method of education builds on the way children learn naturally. It is student-led, allowing children to make creative choices in the classroom, while the teacher offers age-appropriate activities to guide this process. Richmond Montessori School encourages the growth of the whole child, with a particular focus on academic excellence.

It’s not uncommon for parents to dismiss this question when it first begins appearing in the ticker tape of their brains.  Reasons for turning it away are fairly simple at first: there’s no need to disrupt a child’s environment; the parents went to public school and were just fine – surely their children will be, too; and finally, public school is free – why take on the costs of private school?

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