Meadowlane Montessori School

The main criteria of Montessori schools include: classrooms with mixed age groups, appointed selection of activities, blocks of work time that are uninterrupted, and a discovery model where children learn by doing as opposed to by direct teacher instruction.

Our classrooms are designed to be calm, respectful, and peaceful, as this is the type of atmosphere that supports concentration. In this way, the child is encouraged to maintain an orderly environment.

Special needs children, especially those diagnosed with attention deficit disorder or other learning problems, often thrive in a Montessori program due to the amount of individual attention students receive from the teachers.

Did you know that children who attended a Montessori preschool were much more prepared for elementary school than their peers were? This occurred mainly in reading and math skills.

The Montessori method utilizes specialized educational materials developed by the founder of the educational model, Maria Montessori. These materials draw from her experiences with child development during her lifetime.

In Montessori preschools, the focus for the teacher is not so much on traditional teaching methods. Instead he or she is expected to provide experiences for the child to manipulate, construct mental images, and learn.

While Montessori classrooms place less emphasis on make-believe and fantasy, children are still encouraged to develop their creativity and imagination through art, dance, music, and creative drama.

Research shows that Montessori children are well prepared for life academically, socially, and emotionally. They also tend to score above average on standardized tests.

Part of the Montessori curriculum focuses on practical life. Children are taught how to dress themselves and tie their own shoes, to prepare their own snacks, and to clean up after themselves.

One common feature of a Montessori preschool is mixed-age classrooms with children from ages two-and-a-half to six years. Additionally, instead of undergoing traditional instruction, children can choose their own activities from within a prescribed range of options.

Did you know that high school students who attended a Montessori Head Start program achieved the highest scores in mathematics and reading?

The Montessori approach to education was developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Her practice in education spanned to an estimated 20,000 schools worldwide, caring for children from birth up to age eighteen.

According to the Montessori education model, children are grouped in three- or six-year spans and have the same teacher for that whole period. This gives older children the opportunity to mentor younger ones.