Sometimes, when you are trying to figure out what kind of educational system to enroll your child in, it helps to hear from other parents. Why do parents choose Montessori programs over public schools or traditional daycare? What makes Montessori the winner over the rest? Montessori education is truly unique, as the philosophy is completely different from the public schools most of us attended as children.
That is why we are looking out the reasons why parents choose Montessori today, so you decide if a Montessori program is right for you and your child.
Individual Potential
If you grew up going to a public school, you might have this grievance: That the curriculum was never what you needed. Teachers couldn’t give you instruction you needed or assist with concepts you struggled with. So, you went from one grade to the next, barely understanding a core concept.
This is why so many children fail at traditional schools. Boredom, struggling to catch up, embarrassment, and other issues can lead to holes in their education that follows them throughout life.
Montessori education allows students to work at their own pace. The teachers develop individual learning plans for every student, as well. Rather than urging students to memorize a lesson as fast as possible for testing, a Montessori classroom gives children the independence and freedom to learn as they’d like.
While the sequencing and scope of every lesson is the same for each student, and all the materials are already prepared, the teacher only allows a student to progress onto the next task when they are ready and confident.
Mutual Respect
One of the main facets of Montessori education is Grace and Courtesy. You want your child to be a respectful human, as well as develop healthy boundaries for themselves. In a Montessori setting, children learn respectful behaviors for the teacher. They also learn, with a teacher’s guidance, how to communicate their emotions effectively, how to say no, and how to behave in a variety of situations.
You can expect a calmer, more respectful child at home and in public settings, such as family outings at the restaurant or a trip to the supermarket.
Cooperation & Collaboration
Another reason parents choose Montessori schools is because they want their child to learn how to communicate and collaborate with others. The Montessori classroom is a multi-age space full of activities and tools for creative work. Students are allowed to work alone or together to solve problems and role play. Sometimes, students work together to play instruments, practice mathematics, or even learn vocabulary.
A Natural Love of Learning
When you don’t know a lot about Montessori, this form of education can look extreme—either too free or too strict. That’s not the case. Montessori education is balanced in a way that gives a child tools to adapt to the world. In a traditional school, children are forced to behave like adults, even though they are still very much developing minds.
Montessori education is favored by so many parents these days because it lets children be children while giving them the tools needed to grow and adapt. There is no forcing. Children are allowed to learn on their own and from one another, so they discover and experience the world. This leads to curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Whole Child Education
Many parents and young adults today are struggling with life skills, because many public schools did away with Home Economics. These practical skills, however, are at the core of a Montessori education. Learning how to cook, clean, organize, and take care of oneself and the environment is as important in the Montessori classroom as reading, writing, and arithmetic.
One of the greatest skills you can have is preparation for daily life, because it teaches you how to contribute, be responsible, and to have confidence in one’s abilities. In the Montessori classroom, the whole child is developed, not just the academic.
Reinforcing Learning and Growth
In a world where children are given gold stars for a job well done, Montessori schools do things differently. There are no grades, no awards. Montessori schools instead focus on the little dopamine rush children (and adults) receive when accomplishing a task or mastering a new skill. In fact, when a Montessori teacher gives someone praise, it often focuses on a skill. For example, they might say, “I think it’s great how hard you’re working on your addition and subtraction skills,” or “Look how well you’re doing with penmanship.”
Traditional education, on the other hand, has affixed value to rewards. Children expect handouts, and this detracts from the purpose of a lesson or task.
Montessori schooling helps parents teach their kids how to enjoy the intrinsic value and rewards of working together, of collaborating, learning, and mastering a skill. And that leads to more successful adults!
Looking for a Montessori School in Philadelphia?
Why do parents choose Montessori? Because it’s a wholesome education that focuses on more than academic abilities. In a Montessori classroom, children learn how to be successful adults who can collaborate and set healthy boundaries. Moreover, they gain an incredible love of learning, which is so important for future success.
If you’re looking for a Montessori school in Philadelphia, consider Fishtown Montessori. Our many programs are designed by certified and experienced Montessori educators. Why not check out our school today? Request a virtual tour or give us a call.
