Seeing your child off to preschool is an incredibly exciting time for any parent, but it can also be a scary one. How can you make sure that you’re sending them to a school that can provide them with the education they need to lead a happy and fulfilling life?
Although there is always going to be a leap of faith necessary (as is the case with many facets of parenting), there are some ways to determine whether your Montessori preschool is the best option for your child or not.
1. Consider Your Own Education Philosophy
What is your approach to teaching your children? Do you have a one-size-fits-all way of doing things, or are you of the mind that each child moves at their own pace, and the best way for them to learn is to allow them to keep that pace? If you favor the latter, then you may appreciate the Montessori education philosophy.
2. Take a Tour of the School
If you’re feeling good about the Montessori approach to education, then your next step is to find a Montessori preschool and take a tour of it. This will help you get a good idea of the environment your little preschool student will be learning in every day.
Keep in mind that Montessori classrooms are generally not set up like a typical classroom. There’s a focus on creating a comfortable environment that’s more conducive to independent thinking.
3. Meet the Teachers
Few things can give you a better sense of the kind of education your preschool student will be receiving than speaking directly with their potential teachers. They can give you a basic rundown of what day-to-day life at a Montessori preschool is like and enlighten you on their personal teaching philosophy.
You can also observe your child’s potential teacher in the classroom setting to get an even clearer picture of what learning is like at a Montessori school. You’ll find that things are a lot more egalitarian in these classrooms. If that’s what you’re looking for in your child’s education, then you’ve found the right place.
4. Observe the Students
If you’re able to see a Montessori classroom in action, the behavior of the students should tell you all you need to know. How does this non-traditional education setting seem to be affecting them? Are they engaged in and excited about learning? How do they interact with teachers and with their classmates? If you think the answers to these questions are positive ones, you have found your preschool.
5. Speak with Parents
While teachers can give you a lot of perspective about what your child’s education will be like at a Montessori preschool, you can get a very different perspective by speaking with the parents of that school’s students. They won’t just rate the school out of five stars; they can give you some intimate details about what they’ve seen their child get out of their Montessori education.
Interested in a Montessori Preschool?
Reach out to Montessori West today to learn about what we can offer your child on their education journey.
