Choosing a private kindergarten for your child is an important decision that can shape their early educational experiences. To ensure you select the right private kindergarten, consider focusing on the following areas and looking for specific factors in each.
1. Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy
2. Class Size and Student-to-Teacher Ratio
3. Teacher and School Qualifications
4. Safety and Facilities
5. Parental Involvement and Communication
By considering these factors and asking related questions, you can make a well-informed decision when choosing a private kindergarten that aligns with your child's educational needs and your family's values.
0 Comments
Motivating and fostering a love for reading is essential for private kindergarten readers. By incorporating simple activities at home, parents can provide an enriching environment that promotes reading engagement and literacy development. Here are some easy things you can do to motivate young readers.
Create a Reading Nook Designate a cozy reading nook in your home where your Montessori kindergarten child can immerse themselves in books. Set up a comfortable chair or cushion, along with a small bookshelf or basket filled with age-appropriate books. Make this space inviting and special, allowing your child to have a dedicated spot for reading and exploration. Read Aloud Daily Make reading aloud a daily ritual. Choose a variety of books that cater to your child's interests and reading level. Engage your Montessori child by using expressive voices, making sound effects, and asking open-ended questions about the story. Reading aloud not only enhances their language skills but also cultivates a love for storytelling and sparks their imagination. Visit the Library Take regular trips to your local library. Allow your child to explore different genres and select books of their choice. Encourage them to interact with the librarians, participate in storytime sessions, and join reading programs or clubs. The library provides a stimulating environment where your child can discover new books, engage with fellow readers, and develop a sense of ownership over their reading journey. Set Reading Challenges Set achievable reading challenges or goals to motivate your child. For example, you can create a reading chart or use a reading app to track their progress. Offer incentives or rewards for reaching milestones, such as a special outing or a small treat. These challenges provide a sense of accomplishment and encourage your child to engage in regular reading practice. Encourage Storytelling and Writing Promote creativity and language skills by encouraging your child to tell their own stories or write their own books. Provide them with blank notebooks, writing materials, and art supplies. Allow them to illustrate their stories and share them with family and friends. This activity not only enhances their reading and writing abilities but also boosts their confidence as young storytellers. Motivating your Montessori kindergarten reader at home is a wonderful way to support their literacy development and foster a lifelong love for reading. By creating a reading nook, reading aloud daily, visiting the library, setting reading challenges, and encouraging storytelling and writing, you provide an engaging and supportive environment for your child's reading journey. Self-care is the ability of a private kindergarten student to do things that promote hygiene and health. The tasks can be any productive activity, including dressing, washing, and using the restroom when necessary. As part of whole-child development, routines that reinforce self-care are appropriate activities in Montessori schools.
1. Morning Routine A consistent morning routine can help Montessori kindergarten children develop good hygiene habits, such as brushing their teeth and washing their face. This routine can also include getting dressed independently, putting away their pajamas, and making their bed. Regular tooth brushing can help prevent tooth decay and promote good oral hygiene. Encouraging children to brush their teeth twice a day, after breakfast and before bedtime, can help establish a tooth-brushing routine. Learning to dress themselves independently can help build their confidence and self-reliance. Establishing a consistent dressing routine, such as laying out clothes the night before, can help children learn to choose appropriate clothing and get dressed independently. 2. Mealtime Activities A mealtime routine can help children develop healthy eating habits and learn proper table manners. This routine can include setting the table, serving themselves, and cleaning up after meals. This is also a great opportunity for activities that involve pouring and measuring. Mealtime routines teach children the importance of healthy eating, and help them establish a schedule that provides behavioral cues to last a lifetime. 3. Bathroom and Hand Washing A consistent bathroom routine can help children develop good hygiene habits and learn to use the bathroom independently. This routine can include washing their hands after using the bathroom, wiping themselves properly, and flushing the toilet. 4. Outdoor Interactions A routine that includes outdoor play can help children develop gross motor skills, learn about nature, and expend energy. This routine can include outdoor activities such as playing on the playground, going for a nature walk, or engaging in sports and games. Children should also be encouraged to take responsibility for their outdoor clothing and equipment, such as putting on and taking off their jackets and shoes. Routines are important for all children, but they can be especially beneficial for children with certain types of learning challenges such as autism or Attention Deficit Disorder. In these situations, regularly scheduled routines provide an anchor for children to adhere to, and having their regular routines interrupted or omitted may cause children to experience mild to severe distress. Science is one of the easiest subjects to incorporate into a private kindergarten environment. Potential science experiments are all around us, and everyone makes a good addition to a hands-on learning environment. In the bargain, small children will develop math skills, learn new vocabulary, and discover information that brings their world into a little bit clearer focus.
1. Rain Jars Imitating the fall of rain is a simple and colorful science experiment prefect for a Montessori kindergarten. Fill a clear jar three-quarters full of water. In a small cup mix a couple of tablespoons of water with food coloring. Spray a little foamy shave cream into the top of the clear jar and then use a spoon or eyedropper to transfer some of the colored water onto the upper side of the shaving cream. As the water dissolves through the shaving lather, the colored water will begin to "rain" into the clear water below. 2. Eggshell Germination Using eggshells to germinate seeds will give Montessori children a look at science in action. Simply add a little potting soil to a cracked egg shell, and a little water and place the shell back into the egg carton. Most seeds will germinate in 3 to 10 days, but be sure to check the shells daily and make sure they have enough water. To prevent over watering, use a pin and push a small hole into the bottom of the shell. The beauty of germinating seeds like this is that the whole shell can be planted after the seed germinates because plant roots can penetrate the shell easily. 3. Balloon Races For this activity, you will need some long pieces of string, some strong adhesive tape, straw segments, and balloons. Push the end of the string through a straw segment and then tie it off tightly on both ends. Carefully inflate the balloon, and then release the open end to watch it zip across the line, held in place by the piece of straw. This is a simplified way to demonstrate cause and effect, and makes for an enjoyable activity. Experiment with attaching various objects to the balloon before releasing it to find out what effect additional weight has on the movement of the balloon. Science is perfect for a kindergarten classroom. It teaches us the secrets of the physical world, and helps children build stronger vocabularies and math skills. And b y allowing the children to participate in performing the science experiments, it gives them a sense of accomplishment and success when the experiment works out as expected. The materials used in a Montessori private kindergarten are carefully designed to be self-correcting, enjoyable, and to encourage the mastery of multiple early developmental skillsets. This includes things like fine motor skills, academic subjects, and intellectual skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
Learning Through Doing What Maria Montessori observed early in the 20th century was that Montessori kindergarten children learn best when they are able to get immersed in their education. Since then, numerous studies have repeated her findings, showing that children perform better and absorb information more readily when they are engaged with it using hands-on learning materials. This does not mean that children are simply playing instead of being taught, it means that children are being taught using materials that are carefully chosen to keep children engaged as they learn. Consistency and Repetition No one becomes an expert the first time they attempt a new task. This is just as true for adults as it is for children. With authentic Montessori materials, children are able to return to the same activity over and over, and the activities are designed to be self-self-correcting so that kids will immediately know whether they have done the job correctly. Natural Learning Strategies Another early observation made by Montessori was that children learn by playing in a natural setting. Authentic Montessori activities are designed to entertain and engage children at that level, and even though they outwardly appear to be playing they are actually fully engaged in absorbing new information. Prepared Environments The Montessori prepared environment is designed to resonate with a child's desire for consistency and order. In a Montessori classroom, children are going about many different activities-- even moving from one to another freely-- yet the area remains free of clutter. This is because the Montessori Method includes teaching children the process of putting things away in their proper place when they are no longer being used. Practical Skills Not all Montessori materials were designed expressly for the classroom. The Montessori Method also dictates that successful childhood development includes learning practical skills such as measuring, pouring, and cutting. These are skills that children will use repeatedly throughout their lives but are sadly omitted from nearly all traditional public school systems. Montessori classrooms are intended to provide a full spectrum of developmental tools for young children. What appears to be a toy is actually a well-crafted and carefully chosen activity that provides one or more important lessons. The benefits of such activities are numerous and the results are time-tested. Reading is an important skill that should be developed early and reinforced often in private kindergarten. To that end, these 4 books encourage children to read while delivering important messages and academic lessons in an entertaining and non-intrusive way.
1. National Geographic Kids Readers: Jump Pup By Susan B. Neuman This book is excellent for kindergarten kids who are learning to read. It uses kid-friendly reading techniques that make words easier to read, and creates a lively puppy adventure children can get engaged in. Put this one at the top of your child's reading list, and set aside some time to enjoy it with her. 2. One Family By George Shannon Possibly the most academically slanted of our picks, this book is all about counting, but it is also about diversity and inclusion. With entertaining illustrations and easy-to-read text, the book looks at the many types of families and how they care for one another. counting is an important skill, and this book delivers counting practice with an engaging storyline. 3. You are Enough By Margaret O'Hair This book is all about diversity and how everyone is unique. It shows that sometimes, the thing that is different is the most important part. Understanding how differences in people, places, and things are what makes the world such a wondrous and exciting adventure. Self-esteem and inclusion are important developmental traits and this book makes their magic come to life. 4. What Does It Mean to Be Kind By Rana DiOrio A chain reaction is set in motion when one girl decides to take a chance and be nice to the new kid. It doesn't take long until the whole town has gotten involved, and kindness begins to spread. This book takes a look at empathy, the importance of grace and courtesy, and more. It is well-illustrated and engages children while encouraging positive social interaction. With a few online searches, you will find dozens of great books to keep your children interested in turning the pages. Think about the things she finds interesting and try to provide her with books that include those subjects. When the books she is presented with cover topics she wants to find out about, she is far more likely to spend more time reading and experience better retention of the words she reads. Your child's Montessori private kindergarten does not use rewards, punishments, and extrinsic motivation techniques to get and keep the children engaged. Instead, they use methods intended to promote internal motivation, developing children who do things and accept responsibilities because they want to rather than baiting them with prizes or fear of punishment.
What Is Intrinsic Motivation? In simple terms, intrinsic motivation is an action or activity that is undertaken without outside influence. Intrinsic motivation encourages behavior that makes people feel good about themselves, giving them a personal incentive to accomplish a task or perform an action. Process Over Production Children become more intrinsically motivated when their efforts bear results. Even when an activity doesn't work out exactly as planned, children are encouraged to try again by acknowledging the effort they have already put forth. In small children, instilling the will to try surmounts expecting ideal results. Routines and Schedules Having set schedules and periodic routines establish an underlying order to a child's life, and following routines often becomes an exciting activity that children look forward to. This promotes intrinsic motivation, helps them develop independence, and aids the development of self-esteem. Inclusion, Trust, and Achievement Giving children the opportunity to feel included in family activities, being trusted to accomplish tasks on their own, and the feeling of achievement after a task is complete all work together to motivate private kindergarten children to want to accomplish goals. Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose Routines and tasks that children can do alone make them feel better about their own abilities. Mastering those tasks so that they become second nature provides an incentive to keep trying and fuels an inherent goal to be like other members of the family or group. Children develop self-motivation by doing things and marking accomplishments. Montessori private kindergarten uses a whole-child approach to education that includes learning to be more independent and self-motivated. The idea is that fostering a child's interest in learning and doing things for themselves promotes the same behavior, fully engaging children in their own interests and education. This system works best when Montessori-inspired techniques are incorporated into the home. Your Montessori private kindergarten is focused on the development of the entire child, and that offers a variety of positive influences for children to better themselves and become more conscientious members of the classroom, family, and community. These 4 examples showcase the multiple ways that Montessori encourages childhood development.
1. Developing Self-Esteem Private kindergarten continues the development of social skills that children have been learning since daycare. Because children who feel secure about their abilities have more freedom to apply themselves, self-esteem is a vital part of the Montessori Method. As a positive influence, self-esteem builds strong character and a willingness to take part in group events and activities. 2. Applied Critical Thinking Early in the Montessori process, children learn to make decisions and accept consequences, and private kindergarten continues the process. Developing problem-solving skills helps children learn to be more productive and associative. Critical thinking is a crucial part of language, math, and science activities, and includes everything from practical life activities to authentic Montessori materials. 3. Citizenship in Action Citizenship develops out of self-esteem and critical thinking. It includes social etiquette, diplomacy, and the ability to handle situations responsibly and tactfully resolving situations. As children get older and take part in the larger community, they will be more prepared to be active members of the family and community. 4. Learning By Doing Hands-on activities encourage retention and promote self-reliance. Maria Montessori recognized that children learn better and remember the information longer when they are able to immerse themselves in the activity. As a consequence, children learn to perform better and gain the confidence to apply themselves in different ways Children who attend Montessori private kindergarten are encouraged to develop mentally, physically, and socially. This results in well-rounded children who are capable of applying themselves to many situations and confident in their ability to interact in a peaceful and responsible way In a Montessori private kindergarten, hands-on activities are the preferred teaching method. Maria Montessori observed that children absorb information easier when it is combined with exciting and interactive activities that provide entertainment in the process of teaching important lessons. At home or in school, hands-on activities are an excellent way for children to learn, grow, and develop into responsible members of their social circles.
A Montessori-based private kindergarten will use play-based, hands-on educational tools. A wide variety of games fit this description, including card games, object-based games, and even those you make up yourself. The idea is that through the enjoyment of playing, your child will absorb the knowledge required to do well in life.
|
Archives
January 2022
Categories
All
|