Choosing the right preschool for your child is a critical decision; as in most cases, it will be the first time that your child will be away from you; in a new and different environment. Currently, there are many Montessori, alternate-philosophy, and play-based childcare to choose from for your child’s initial year, and many experts suggest that Montessori is a better choice for children than the playschool.
How is Montessori different from play-based early childhood education? Read on to find out.
More structured
A key principle behind Montessori education is learning through active hands-on experience. Unlike passive play-based centres, children learn through intuitive Montessori learning materials to unlock a skill or concept. Children extend on this learning through holistic activities including music, movement, art and craft, in a daily routine that offers children consistency and a sense of security. The programs honour each child’s unique learning style and pace to awaken each child’s inner life-long learner. Children can choose activities based on their area of interest and are free to work on the same one during the morning Montessori work cycle.
Your child becomes school ready
At Montessori Academy, a child’s school readiness journey starts long before they are enrolling on primary school. This is as the daily routine and prepared environment facilitate progressive and age-appropriate learning across five curriculum areas.
Through Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Culture, children encounter school readiness fundamentals including letter recognition, reading, writing, addition, subtraction, science and music. These curated learning experiences, balanced with opportunities for fun, gradually increase in difficulty across the toddler and preschool classrooms, allowing children to lay the academic and well-being foundations for success in primary school and life.
On the other hand, play-based centres may have a short-term school readiness bridging program in your child’s final year before primary school. Classrooms are also laid out differently with separate play stations based on different themes and activities. While the right time to start childcare looks different for every family, you may find that your child will thrive with an earlier start, and progressive early learning journey at Montessori childcare.
Your child will unlock independence and self-made esteem
In Montessori, a teacher is a guide, and they not only observe the child but also thoughtfully track the progress. They facilitate the use of educational materials and nurture children’s confidence by gently guiding independent discovery, repetition and practice. As children master Montessori materials that have an in-built control of error, they unlock self-motivation and confidence. Comparably, play-based schools are more teacher-directed. So, if you’re wondering, how is Montessori different from play-based early childhood education, this is a clear example.
Doctor Maria Montessori’s way of teaching is known to help children flourish at their own pace and help them become more independent, which offers them an excellent start for a lifetime of learning ahead.