Montessori Vs. Childcare Which to Choose?-A Debatable Topic

Every parent wants the best for their child, so when it comes down to choosing a school for their children they tend to get a little choosy. As you look through the numerous childcare for your child, you will notice that Montessori school stands out because of its key features. All traditional classroom looks the same. But when it comes to the Montessori kindergarten learning centre each classroom is unique even if they are altogether a part of the same education. Let’s compare some core philosophies that set tradition daycare and Montessori school apart. 

Child-Led Activities Vs. Adult-Led Activities 

In daycare centers, children are shuffled in different activities following the schedule crafted by an adult on the intervals of twenty to forty minutes. The activities in these centers are group based. Students are required to move from one activity to another in a group, regardless of their indulgence in current activity.  

On the other hand, the Montessori classroom encourages the budding independence of the child. It supports the child to explore his options and discover his interest. The teacher gives one on one instructions to the child by giving them short presentations. Children are given the luxury of time to select their activities and work on them at their own pace until they are satisfied.

Loud Environment Vs. Calm Environment 

Daycare centers have a very loud, colourful and stressful environment. Children are to do the specific activities given to them and they have to move at the group pace. The Montessori classrooms are designed very skillfully, each object placed in the environment of the classrooms aims to intrigue children. Here children work individually on their own stations, the guidance of a teacher is minimal giving them the freedom to learn based on their method. 

Developing Inner Discipline Vs. Obedience Training 

In traditional classrooms, teachers expect immediate obedience from toddlers. The strategies of the kindergarten teachers to make the students learn obedience is that they reward the student who obeys them and punishes the students who don’t. Whereas Montessori teachers don’t believe in the concept of obedience, instead they believe that children naturally want to be on their best behaviour. The Montessori teachers can help your child develop inner discipline by crafting the right environment and showcasing gentle as well as regretful behaviour.

Group Conformity Vs. Grace and Courtesy 

Many parents enroll their children in preschools thinking they will learn to socialize but all the learn there is group conformity which is different in many settings. In daycare, a child has to perform many developmental skills that are inappropriate like sitting still for a long period of time. In montessori education, children have some sets of rules which stop them from displaying negative behaviour. For example, a child has to choose an activity from shelves and this way he won’t be snatching things from other children. 

Montessori Preschool in Canada offers well trained teacher who can help you groom your child to its best of the abilities.

3 Ways a Parent can be Involved in their Child’s Education

International Baccalaureate is an international educational foundation. It was formerly known as International Baccalaureate Organisation. It offers four kinds of programs: the IB Diploma programme, IB Career-Related Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, and IB Primary Years Programme.

International Baccalaureate in Canada is joined by many students and this is one of the trending course.

Primary Year Programme (PYP) is where students learn about taking charge of their own learning. Teachers cooperate with them to deepen their learning and give them self motivation. This programme is for students aged 3 to 12 years. This kind of experience is transformative for schools and teachers.

It is important for an international student to have a curriculum that supports different kinds of students and prepares them for the future. International Baccalaureate has provided a course that is internationally approved and globally recognized.

If a child is studying IB PYP it is important for a parent to understand what he is studying. The research has proved that children do better with the invovement of their parents. Here are some ways in which a parent can collaborate with schools.

Experiential Learning and Parents in the classroom

Parents can get involved in experimental learning by going to field trips and volunteering as special speakers. They are requested to volunteer, pitch in their ideas, and make ties for the school. Parents can bring in special speakers and some can even volunteer as a special speaker speaking about their profession or passion in interactive workshops. Generally, PYP units include two experiences: one is in the classroom and the other outside the classroom. Parents can be in charge of planning those experiences by using their local knowledge and connection to make the experience unique.

Parent as Peers

The parents can be peers in project-based activities such as roleplays. They should be frequently invited by the school to participate in activities. If children see their parents as an active learner in their learning journey. They are inspired to put in even more effort than they generally put in. The schools often request the parents for making an appearance for storytelling and sharing experience.

Offering Service Learning Opportunities

Parents are inivited to be a part of service learning initiatives. In this parents help underprivileged students alongside their children to learn. Parents can build community and help provide useful learning service.

Ashwood Glen is one of the best International Schools which frequently requests parents participation.

Fostering The Young Minds For Embracing The Real World With Montessori Education

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“Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.”

                                                                                                                            -Maria Montessori

‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, a phrase that has been through our veins and blood since generations. For parents who kept their children focussing on bookish knowledge, this ideology was much needed.

However, if we take a look at the present day, we have come quite far. Today, the education system has taken the onset to a modern concept. Where the method of teaching guides children to playing and learning both at the same time.

Establishing the roots of development, Canadian international school have made their way into the art of skill enhancement. Where classrooms are no more a place to sit quietly and learn the words from the book. Instead, you will see toddlers running around to explore their likes and dislikes.

Yes, we finally talk about the main idea of the article; i.e. Montessori system of education. Every bit of information you read speaks for the style of a Montessori education.

As a piece of learning for the parents of toddlers, we have explained this new art of education system by comparing the Traditional and Montessori practices.

Let’s begin with;

The Classroom Environment

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Maria Montessori, the founder of Montessori school believed that children can learn better in an independent environment. Thereby, on one hand, children were seated quietly in the traditional classroom.

On the contrary, Montessori classrooms were filled with laughter and smile of the kids who enjoyed the activities with freedom.

The Guiding Role of Teachers

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Montessori systems focuses on self-development of the child, with teachers only playing the role of a guide. Here the students are enforced with the idea to explore their own method of learning. It can begin with, painting, cleaning, puzzle solving, locating the missing pieces, etc.

While the same freedom and skill enhancement cannot be seen in Traditional environment. A place where students are made to only listen and observe, rather than to discover.

The Classmates of your Kids

Have you ever considered interacting with people of different age groups? If you have already done this sort, you know there is a wide scope of learning from such interactions. 

At Montessori school, a set of age-group makes the classroom. Unlike traditional teaching, where all the kids of the same age are put together. 

The Montessori Way of Teaching: Shaping the Child’s Future!

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There are two basic concepts of this long-established and ultra modern teaching method. One talks about learning with mixed age groups and second, emphasises on the need for freedom with secured limits.

Ashwood Glen brings this teaching ideology to its own platform. With creativity and personal development at the priority list, teaching comes out of the shadow of old school techniques.

The Montessori art of teaching, is a place where the teachers observe the activities of the kids. Later, to move them into choosing their career path. Shape the mind of your young ones with activities and a little hint of academics, preparing them for the real world challenges.

Montessori School of Education: A Classic Way to Infuse Learning with Creativity

Montessori can be defined as a methodology that is directed towards hands-on learning and collaborative play. It is a style that infuses children to learn making creative choices during their classroom activities. This form of teaching is not limited to only children. The classroom and the highly skilled trained teachers offer age-appropriate activities that make the activities quite meaningful for making learning a fun task. 

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Montessori school of education encourages children form groups apart from working independently to find out their exclusive skill sets and knowledge that sets them apart from others in the world. The ultimate objective of conducting this style is to ensure that children are able to develop their maximum potential.

With the help of the Montessori style of learning it is possible to meet the specific needs of children in a particular age group. Experiential learning is a big part of Montessori. It has been found that it results in a profound knowledge of mathematics, music, science, language, social interactions, etc.

Most of the time it has been found Montessori classrooms are secure in nature which makes the children grow their skill sets in a more powerful way. Each and every material that is provided in a Montessori classroom is developed keeping in mind the interest levels of the child and the activities that can easily be worked out in the classroom. 

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One significant factor of this type of learning is, children have the opportunity to learn from their own experiences at their own pace. There is no need to race with other fellow classmates since every child has their unique gift to sharpen.

Ashwood Glen promotes the idea of Montessori school of education. The institute integrates learning ideas that inspire young receptive minds. How? By nurturing inspirational qualities in future leaders.

All in all, Montessori classrooms are a blessing in disguise for the overall development of children. They harness the individual strengths and interests of the children and provide an opportunity for them to explore the world that we live in. It also makes them comprehend and respect the system, life forms, and forces of which it exists. Everything starts when you start thinking differently. This is what Montessori style propagates.