The Importance of the Kindergarten Year in a Montessori Classroom
Do we keep our children in a Montessori kindergarten or place them in a traditional kindergarten program?
This is the question that thousands of Montessori parents grapple with each year.
Traditional kindergarten certainly has benefits and some children do better in that environment. However, there are numerous advantages to keeping your child in a Montessori program for their third year.
Lessons of the first two years come together
Children in Montessori programs often have a deeper understanding of what they are learning and why they are learning it; they are not simply memorizing useless information. It’s not uncommon for Montessori graduates to read and understand math far better than their public school peers.
Becoming a leader for the younger students
By the third year of their Montessori cycle, children have been waiting two years to become one of the older students in the class—the leaders. The five-year-olds in the classroom often help the younger children do their work, even teaching them lessons. Time and time again, research has shown that when one child is teaching another, the “teacher” often learns just as much, if not more, than the other student. Teaching reinforces learning.
Not only does teaching younger children facilitate learning but it helps the five-year-old develop independence, leadership, and self-confidence skills
Support from a familiar teacher and classmates a leader for the younger students
Your child has spent two years with his teachers and they know him very well; they know his strengths and what challenges him. He has grown comfortable in his environment and knows what to expect. Your child also knows most of his classmates. He’s surrounded by a warm and supportive community.