The Benefits of Kindergarten in a Montessori Setting
Some families are drawn to Montessori education because they’ve read about how different and special the approach is. Some are looking for a high-quality daycare or preschool and stumbled upon Montessori. There are many reasons families choose to send their children to Montessori schools. Most families are thrilled with their decision once they see how their child is nurtured, encouraged, and celebrated in our environments.
Something interesting happens when the child approaches kindergarten and first grade.
Families feel the pull of traditional schooling. They begin to worry that the differences that make Montessori so wonderful won’t cut it when preparing their older child for life. They may have excellent public-school options available.
It can be hard to do something different than what you did as a child or what your family or friends are doing for their children’s schooling. We fully recognize that the decision is incredibly personal.
It is not uncommon for families who choose to leave Montessori before their child enters kindergarten to end up returning.
We can also tell you that the three-year cycles in our environments are intentional, and there are some great reasons to give your child the gift of that third year.
Are you unsure about your school-aged child’s education? This post can help clarify some of the reasons we think children do best when they have the opportunity to complete their primary cycle (Children’s House).
Mastery of Skills
The third year in a primary classroom is a chance for students to shine academically. Everything they have been working on comes full circle, and their understanding of concepts solidifies in a way they couldn’t have before. Much of what children work on in the earlier years of our primary environments is indirect and direct preparation for the lessons our third years receive and the materials they work with.
Not only do our kindergarten children understand concepts in new ways, but they can demonstrate this knowledge. Educators from all backgrounds will agree that when a person can teach someone a skill, they have demonstrated mastery. Our classrooms are designed so that older students help to teach younger ones. This teaching serves multiple purposes, one of which is to establish their own understanding.
One of the many benefits of the multi-age classroom is that our kindergarteners really enjoy teaching their younger peers.
Opportunities for Leadership
Teaching lessons to younger children isn’t just about academic mastery; it’s also about giving children opportunities to experience leadership. Leadership isn’t about power. It’s about allowing those with experience to guide others with less experience. So much of this type of leadership is done by modeling, and our kindergartners serve as the absolute best models for our younger students.
When your child first entered the Children’s House, they went through a period in which they needed to figure out expectations, routines, and much more. Children need to learn how to be independent, interact with one another and adults, care for the environment, and so on. As adults who guide children, we model and verbalize what children need to learn, but we are wise enough to recognize that they will learn more from watching their peers.
Older children relish this opportunity. It feels good to know that you are helping someone else. Acknowledging how far you have come and how you can now guide others along their own path feels good. Our Kindergarteners know about this role because we discuss it with them often. By the time they step into it, they are more than prepared.
Continued Respect for Individuality
Montessori schools respect each child’s individual path and believe even young people deserve to be treated with dignity. There are many ways in which we differ from conventional institutions, but some that we think are important to highlight are:
Allowing the child to use the restroom when they need to, without having to ask permission from an adult.
Encouraging children to eat a snack when they are hungry and drink when they feel thirsty.
Creating a structure that allows children to take breaks when they need to and focus deeply on their work for extended periods without interruption.
Giving children academic choices within limits (they may be required to complete specific tasks, but it’s okay if they choose the order in which the tasks are done)
Creating flexible seating choices so that children have options to sit alone or with friends, in a chair, or on the floor.
Advanced Academic Expectations
Parents in our community often recognize that our curriculum tends to exceed the scope of what is taught elsewhere. We do not push children to learn what is beyond their capabilities; we know that children are capable of more than most people realize. When given the opportunity, they can amaze us.
We honor that every child develops at their own pace, and there is no set time for various skills to be mastered. It is not uncommon, however, for Montessori students to:
Read before they enter kindergarten.
Be working with numbers into the thousands at age four.
Have an understanding of basic grammatical principles at age five.
Engage with basic geometry concepts not typically introduced until years later.
Enjoy skills and content taught in biology and geography beginning at age three.
Learn cursive handwriting before entering elementary school.
Begin adding large numbers and have a basic understanding of exchanging for tens.
Deep-Dives Into Areas of Personal Interest
One of the best parts of being in a Montessori classroom is being allowed the time to explore one’s own interests. Because of the flexible nature of the day, children can practice various skills while learning about what creates a spark for them.
Is your child into dinosaurs? We provide books, paper, and art supplies for them to write about and draw diagrams of these ancient creatures.
Are they proud of their family’s culture and heritage? We make space for children and families to give presentations and share their traditions.
Do they dream about being a vet as an adult? Older children may be given more responsibilities to care for class pets, and they often find creative ways to connect the zoology curriculum to the animals they know and love in real life.
The possibilities in a Montessori classroom are almost endless. The experience is unlike anything found in other educational settings, and with each passing year of their formative development, we can give our children a Montessori education as a gift.