How Montessori-Based Early Education Prepares Your Child for School and Later Life

How Montessori-Based Early Education Prepares Your Child for School and Later Life The earliest years of a child’s life lays the groundwork for a lifetime of his future development, health and wellbeing. A child’s cognitive development and learning grows immediately after his birth and continues throughout his life. A study reveals: Over 80% of your baby’s brain is formed by the age of 3 Up to 75% of each meal goes to build your baby’s brain 15 minutes of play can spark thousands of brain connections in your baby’s brain Research by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child demonstrates that babies’ brains form new neural connections at an astounding rate of more than 1 million every single second! These neural connections are shaped by genes and life experiences namely – good nutrition, protection, stimulation from talks, play and responsive attention from caregivers. This simply means, as caregivers, we need to care for our children’s brains the way we care for their bodies.

Therefore, when it comes to deciding what type of program to send your children to, you need to consider several factors such as – daycare, pre-schools; the different educational approach and philosophy they follow – such as play way, learning by doing, Montessori, traditional and so on. However, research depicts that among all learning approaches children who went to a Montessori centre fared well on various criteria of academic achievement, social understanding, and mastery orientation. So, what makes a Montessori approach stand out from the rest? In the Montessori setting, children are active within their own pace as a result they become highly regulated. Since, children are self-directed, work independently or in small groups, they learn to become confident and self-motivated learners. How a Montessori Education Shapes your Child? The Montessori approach emphasizes individuality, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological and social development. Ms Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, who developed Montessori education, firmly believed that all children move through the key developmental stages or sensitive periods on their way to adulthood. These key stages or sensitive periods are when children are focused on developing a skill or knowledge. Doctor Maria Montessori believed that if children are allowed to explore their skills during these key stages, they would make amazing progress. Montessori education facilitates these key stages by providing children with prepared environment, which enable ordered, hands-on learning in a self-paced manner, allow mixing with children of different ages, increased collaborative social interactions, freedom of choice and learning from mistakes. The Montessori approach of education focusses on the unique development needs of a child. The prepared environment of the classroom stimulates a child’s mind and let him explore freely the choices that lead him to achieve the outcome of their “play”. The Montessori classroom thus mimics the real-world structure that helps children develop the skills gradually, which in turn serves them throughout their life. This educational approach is time tested and proven across age groups, countries, and cultures. Montessori education also prepares your child for future educational success. A Montessori classroom staffed with qualified and experienced teachers can provide your children with the perfect environment to learn various subjects such as math, science, reading, writing, arts and more. Dr Angeline Stoll Lillard, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia says, “Montessori education aligns with principles and practices that a century of research has shown are more optimal for child development than the principles and practices that undergird conventional schooling.” (Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, 2017)

Studies have also shown that children who attend a Montessori program early in life – perform well in math and science in a high school. They exhibit greater skills in reading, vocabulary, and social problem solving than students in other programs. Supports and nurtures the full developmental potential of the child Montessori education inspires a child to become self-motivated and independent learners with strong academic foundations. Therefore, when you decide to put your child in a Montessori learning centre, ensure that the learning centre’s curriculum, classroom structure, and learning materials reflect the Montessori philosophy and principles. In the end, Montessori education can offer your children a lifelong love of learning and instil in them the confidence that it is possible to learn once they set their mind to doing. This firm belief serves as the foundation for their overall wellbeing and achievement of a greater sense of satisfaction in life. At Aurora Early Education, we follow the Montessori approach in our learning centres. Our curriculum and teaching methodology lay a strong focus on the intellectual, social and emotional development of the infants, toddlers and preschoolers. We believe these positive early learning experiences help promote their successful development in childhood and in later life. At Aurora Early Childhood Learning Center, we follow the Montessori approach in our learning centres. Our curriculum and teaching methodology lay a strong focus on the intellectual, social and emotional development of the infants, toddlers and preschoolers. We believe these positive early learning experiences help promote their successful development in childhood and in later life. Visit our childcare centers in Doncaster and Rowville provides the best care and learning environment for your little one!