About Reading Montessori

How is Montessori different from other pre-school programs?

Multi-age Classroom:

A Montessori classroom is made up of children ranging in ages from 3 to 6 years. The children enter at 3 years and stay in the same classroom through kindergarten. Multi-age grouping affords the opportunity for the more experienced children to mentor their younger classmates. This reinforces their own learning and boosts their confidence and self-esteem. It also develops a sense of community and caring among the children.

Independence:

Independence is fostered in a Montessori classroom for even the youngest child by the way it is set up. The environment is organized in such a way that the child knows where things are and has available to him all he needs to complete the task on his own. Therefore he feels the freedom and confidence to make choices and experiences a feeling of accomplishment and pride.

Individualized Learning:

While children are by nature curious, each develops at her own rate. In a Montessori environment, materials are hands-on and the teacher is a guide, showing the child the mechanics of an activity and then stepping back to let the child explore for herself, working at her own pace. Learning takes place in many ways: in a large group, with peers, with an adult or alone. The adult’s role is to know the overview for each child, carefully track her progress and then guide her on a journey. A Montessori environment is rich in materials that encompass language, math, science, cultural studies as well as art and music.

Communication:

Young children communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Helping children express their thoughts and feelings with a friend, in a group or with an adult is an important part of what happens in a Montessori environment. In the mixed age grouping of the classroom there are many role models, similar to the dynamics of a family.