After spending three years in a Montessori Primary classroom, your bright and curious six-year old is preparing to move up to Montessori Elementary. First of all β congratulations! An authentic Montessori Elementary education is truly a gift for your child. She will soon join a unique classroom community and have an educational experience that has been proven to have better outcomes than conventional education.
You already know that Montessori is different from conventional elementary schools. But do you really understand how it is different? If you seem confused about her school or question why she is doing certain things in class, it can compromise her experience. Be sure to attend any and all parent education events at the school to be informed.
Read this article and this book to get a primer on the basics of Montessori education, especially at the Elementary level. Your six-year old child is moving into a new period of his life Dr. In his Primary classroom, he was content to work independently, to practice concentration, to put everything back exactly where it belongs. And, the classroom is so quiet and peaceful! Montessori observed that children at this age have a deep drive for social connections and are learning how they fit in and relate to the rest of the community.
To support this universal desire, the classroom is set up for collaborative work and for group lessons. The classroom is noisier and busy. The guide is trained to step in only when necessary, to help children learn how to navigate this on their own. We do, as well β but believe that academic progress occurs naturally in a child who is curious and engaged with the world around her.
We challenge your child to work at her highest level each day and to choose work that is meaningful and purposeful. Extra academic work outside of school sends a mixed message that may demotivate your child. Why should she choose activities and work hard in school if she will be told what to work on and learn at home? If you really want to help your child excel in Montessori Elementary, focus on reading at home.
