Montessori education has many benefits over traditional schooling systems. It is a program that focuses on cultivating a child’s learning skills through the discovery and exploration of materials and the development of physical, mental, emotional, and social growth. As difficult as it may be for parents to send their children to an education different from what they might have been exposed to in day-to-day life, Montessori schools are designed with these challenges in mind.
A transition can be difficult at any age. It is important to remember that a child’s transition into a new environment will follow different steps for each child, depending on their learning style, personality, and age.
As children begin to show signs of wanting to study more independently (age 3), it is vital that they still have close relationships with both their teachers and peers. If a child does begin showing signs of independence, it is best if the transition can be made slowly so that he can adjust without feeling overwhelmed. By following these guidelines, your child will be far less likely to experience anxiety during a transition.
Steps to Help Your Child Transition Into Montessori Schooling
1. Plan for the transition:
Knowing that a child is about to transition into a new environment can be very stressful. The best way to combat this stress is by planning ahead of time for the coming changes.These includes:
Asking questions: You and your child need to be informed about the Montessori program so that you know what to expect once they enter the program. Ask lots of questions about what you can expect from your child and when the transition will occur if they are at all unsure.
Decide how long the transition will last: Some children are ready for a longer transition, in which case they will be participating in activities until they can no longer follow. Others are not ready for a complete transition and should be introduced slowly. Consider how long you think your child will need to adjust and plan accordingly.
Create realistic expectations: Pushing your child to do everything too quickly is not a good idea. It is more important that he meets your expectations than for him to do everything perfectly right away. A natural transition will result in a more successful future.
2. Point Out The Positive Differences Your Child Will Experience
Talk about each positive aspect in detail.
Point out the benefits your child will experience while studying at the Montessori school. Discuss how excited you are to see him in a well-run, child-centered program. It seems as though the entire world is moving toward an emphasis on reform, so your child will be uniquely situated to take everything that he learns and add to society when it’s his time. Ensure they understand that you want them to be excited about this change and are looking forward to it themselves.
3. Communicate with the teachers
You need to have a good relationship with your child’s teacher to ensure that he is adjusting well to the program and that you are aware of any changes that might be occurring. If your child’s teacher does not take the time to communicate with you, he will be unable to make adjustments as needed.
Communication between parents is essential for making sure a child is adjusting properly to Montessori classes. Teachers need to know how a child reacts in certain situations, such as receiving new materials, trying new activities, etc. Similarly, parents need to be aware of any possible changes in homework assignments, tests, or projects with the child’s new work.
4. Meet the teachers regularly
Regular meetings are important to know how your child is adjusting and how he is doing in the program. Teachers will also adjust their teaching styles for your child better as needed to fit his learning needs.
5. Discuss homework and assignments
Try not to overwhelm your child with too much homework at once, especially if he is still adjusting to Montessori. If your child has been struggling in a particular subject, ask the teacher if he can provide some extra tutoring for him.
6. Listen to your child
Parents must try to listen to their children, because they may be more comfortable speaking with you than their teachers. If you notice any possible changes in his behavior, discuss it with the teacher so that he can work with your child on these matters.
7. Observe your child
Parents should be observing their children while they are involved in class so that the parents can tell if any possible problems are arising and deal with them quickly. Keeping careful notes on your child’s behavior during class can also help change his behavior and discourage behavioral issues.
8. Support Your Child’s Independence At Home
One of Dr. Montessori’s most famous quotes states, “Never help the child do something that he thinks he can do for himself.” It means that you should let your child do things on his own. There are certain strategies that you can employ to encourage this. Allow your child to take care of his own needs, such as pouring his drink, preparing snacks, and getting dressed without help. Let him do chores around the house, and encourage him to help other younger children with any tasks that they cannot complete by themselves (such as putting on their shoes).
9. Avoid comparisons
The Montessori approach differs from many other educational approaches in one main aspect – it encourages individuality and does not force children into a “one size fits all” format. As a result, children in Montessori classrooms will not be learning like they are in traditional classrooms but will learn at their own pace.
10. Make sure your child understands the importance of work and effort
Children learn through the Montessori method that some tasks are complex and that they have to be put in the work to complete them. Children in Montessori settings are not expected to “do their best” for a task; they need to understand why they need to try hard. Do not underestimate how important this is for your child’s education – it will prepare him for future challenges and will help reinforce any concepts he is still working on in school.
The Montessori approach is well recognized for being a well-rounded educational approach that can help give children a head start in life. However, this does not mean that children are ready to go into it right away. Although Montessori has many positive aspects, parents and teachers need to be aware of some of the possible pitfalls of making this change. Ensure your child understands what he can expect from the transition and do your best to make it as seamless and smooth as possible.
