The Montessori Difference

When parents first reach out to us, many have heard of Montessori education, but don’t fully understand it. They often ask, “What exactly is Montessori?”, “Are all Montessori schools the same?”, and “Why do children have so much freedom in your classrooms?”.

One of the most important things about a Montessori education is the focus on independence. The children are encouraged to do things on their own, like choosing their work, cleaning up, and solving real problems. This helps them feel proud of themselves and builds their confidence. They are taught to respect each other, their teachers, and their classroom space.

There are many Montessori schools around the world. However, not all of them adhere to Dr. Montessori’s principles. An authentic Montessori school, like LePort, sticks to these ideas. They make sure children learn in a way that builds both their academic and life skills. Research shows that true Montessori programs help students perform better in many areas compared to traditional schools. Montessori students typically have stronger math and reading skills, build a stronger vocabulary, and learn how to solve social problems by working with others.

mixed-aged-classroom-4883-16x8alt — Mixed-Age Classrooms

painting-8873-16x8alt — Uninterrupted Work Time

primary-sensorial-weight-0341-16x8alt — Montessori Materials

primary-teacher-1124-16x8alt — Highly-trained Teachers

The Key Elements of Montessori

Mixed-Age Classrooms

In Montessori schools, children of different ages learn together in the same classroom. Older students can help the younger ones, and younger children can learn by watching and working with the older children. It is like having a big family in the classroom! Children make friends, learn from each other, and create a strong community. They also stay with the same teacher for several years. This helps the teacher develop a strong bond with each child and understand what they need to grow and learn. The teacher can then support each child in the best way, both with school and personal growth.

Uninterrupted Work Time

Montessori students have long, uninterrupted periods of time to work with materials that meet their interests. This gives them the chance to focus deeply on their work and learn at their own pace. They can take their time, be creative, and solve problems without feeling rushed. The 3-hour work period allows the children to fully engage in what they are doing, helping them build concentration and develop important skills. It also lets them enjoy the learning process without having to stop and switch to something else too quickly.

180 minutes

A three-hour, uninterrupted work period

Montessori Materials

Montessori classrooms are filled with intentional, hands-on materials that help children learn by doing. Kids get to work at their own level and move forward as they understand each new idea. These materials teach things like math, language, and life skills in a way that’s easy to understand. For example, in math, children use the Golden Beads to learn about counting and place value. They hold and count units, tens, hundreds, and thousands, which helps them understand how numbers work. In language, the Sandpaper Letters use sensory input as children trace letters with their fingers. This helps them learn the shapes and sounds of each letter. For life skills, the children use real tools, like small brooms or pitchers, to practice things like sweeping or pouring water.

Highly-Trained Teachers

Montessori teachers receive unique training to help guide children as they learn and grow. They watch their students to see what they are interested in and when they are ready to learn something new. This helps teachers give lessons at just the right time. It makes learning exciting and meaningful for each child. Teachers also help their students become independent by allowing them to do things on their own. They know just how much help to give, so their students feel confident and think for themselves. Instead of telling the children what to do, teachers guide them and give them the freedom to explore. At the same time, they offer help when needed. This translates to children who learn to solve problems on their own and who grow into confident and capable learners.

In Summary: The Benefits of Montessori

Fostering Trust and Social Skills: When children stay with the same teacher for several years, they create strong bonds and trust. The mixed-age environment helps children develop social skills, as they learn to interact with both younger and older peers.
Developing Independence and Responsibility: Children are free to choose their work. This helps them learn how to make decisions and become independent. By choosing their work and completing it on their own, they take responsibility for their learning and actions. This helps them feel confident and proud of what they can do.
Encouraging Deep Learning: Long periods of time given to focus on a task allows students to dive into their work and explore topics at their own pace. This helps them build concentration, patience, and problem-solving skills, because they have time to think deeply and work carefully.
Hands-On, Real-Life Learning: Children learn by doing. They use materials like Counting Beads and Language Cards to explore math, reading, and other subjects. These tasks help them understand what they are learning because they can see and touch the ideas they are working on.

A Montessori education helps children become independent and capable. It lets them follow their natural curiosity and learn at their own pace. Our students develop a love for learning that stays with them for life. We would love to have you visit our school, tell us more about your child, and see our classrooms in action!

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