The Montessori Child Center -- What You Need to Know

Maria Montessori, Italy's first female doctor, founded the very first Montessori child center in 1907. While caring for poverty stricken children in her children's house, or casa dei bambini, Dr. Montessori got inspired and developed her innovative teaching philosophy. Through observation, she found out that children will naturally teach themselves and each other, and used scientific knowledge to devise an enriching environment that best allowed children to be creative and learn.

** Children's Education Tip ** On Children's Learning Problems... Some well-meaning relatives and pediatricians may offer the excuse that an infant or toddler or pre-schooler with this problem is a "late-bloomer", and they will catch up with the rest over time. However, it is not a good idea to wait. As a parent, you must recognize your child’s development.

There are a variety of Montessori child centers worldwide today. Most Montessori child centers offer care for children from ages six weeks to six years, as well as schooling for elementary age children. There are also Montessori high schools.

Keen to enrol your child in a Montessori child center? It helps to understand more about the Montessori method. Your child will be allowed to explore and learn freely at various different learning stations. Each learning station has a theme - it could be art & craft, rhythm, gardening, cooking, cleaning, science, animal care, mathematics, or language development. There are no corrective marks like red x's applied to your child's work. Instead, your child's work will be honored as it is and the teacher will use unique methods to ensure your child learns what it is necessary.

Children are grouped in three-year age groups at a Montessori child center (for example, children of 3, 4 and 5 years of age are put in the same group). This is because Dr. Montessori found that children are naturally eager to teach one another and learn from one another. Such groupings allow children to do so and cultivate a sense of responsibility, community, and nurturing.

** Children's Education Tip ** To increase the word power of your child, you can try doing a recognize the words in a letter puzzles where there are about 400 letters mixed up. The words to be found printed at the bottom of the puzzle, and all you have to do is to “eagle eye” them together with your child. It will train her concentration and observation skills.

Based on the Montessori educational philosophy, television has no place in a child's education. Montessori's position is that if children are watching television, they're not experiencing and creating. As such, you're unlikely to find any Montessori themed videos out there!

A primary factor to consider before enrolling your child in a Montessori child center is the cost. The fee depends on your child's age, your location, and the individual program you enroll your child in. Sometimes you can find centers that offer financial aid for families of certain incomes.

Copyright 2006 Ellen Parry - All Rights Reserved

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