The social skills learned by children at Montessori schools build a strong foundation for their future. They learn to respect others and themselves, and they learn that cooperation and collaboration lead to achievement and personal satisfaction. For proof of the unique social benefits offered by a Montessori education, all parents need to do is observe a classroom at work. They’ll see students of multiple ages helping each other, and letting their fellow students concentrate on their work without interruption.

Building a Positive, Supportive Community

Unlike most classrooms, Montessori classrooms welcome children of various ages, within a certain range. This more closely mimics real-world communities, and allows children to interact with peers who are a little younger, the same age, and a little older than they are. Montessori schools do have a few requirements. All students within the classroom community (and the educator) are expected to treat every other person with respect and courtesy. Students learn how to avoid conflicts whenever possible and resolve conflicts peaceably when necessary. They are also expected to contribute to the community, such as by keeping it orderly. By putting learning materials back where they belong, students help maintain a distraction-free environment, and they enable their peers to learn from those materials.

Growing in Self-Confidence

It may seem counterintuitive, but an important part of building social skills is growing in self-esteem and self-confidence. Only when an individual feels secure within his or her self-identity, can that individual work peacefully with others without “baggage,” like fear of ridicule or self-consciousness. The Montessori approach cultivates self-confidence by letting students direct their own education. Students make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and realize that they have the ability to correct themselves. It’s the process of learning that is emphasized, not the end result. And because students are encouraged to figure things out for themselves, they can feel confident with their own abilities and self-identity.

Montessori classrooms are unique learning communities that welcome students from all backgrounds. Parents can inquire about enrollment in The Montessori School in Allen by calling (972) 727-2800. Or, get in touch with our North Dallas campus at (972) 985-8844.

The Montessori School is a wonderful space for children from six weeks to 6 ^th grade to learn about self-discipline and cooperative play. These skills will benefit your toddler in the toddler program and Montessori preschool plan, so that he might grow into a well-rounded child and young adult. Here is a better look at how your toddler can benefit with Montessori:

Learn Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is an important skill that everyone should learn, because it helps people concentrate, achieve their goals, and control their responses to outside stimuli. Your toddler is at a prime age to learn self-discipline, because he may be experiencing the common “terrible twos.” This stage of youth is often accompanied by frustration on the child’s part to communicate his wants and needs. However, by learning self-discipline through a Montessori preschool plan, he can regulate his emotions and learn better how to communicate.

Improve Motor Skills

Ever since birth, your child has been working on his fine and gross motor skills. As he grows into a toddler, these motor skills should become more defined and improved. Montessori education is focused on hands-on learning to help your toddler better develop his fine and gross motor skills. He will touch different objects that also teach him the basics in math, language, art, and everyday activities like cooking.

Learn Cooperative Play

Montessori schools focus on individual learning, so that your child will develop self-discipline. However, the toddler program is also heavily focused on cooperative play. Your toddler will learn how to share the different activities present in the classroom, and he will learn the value of respect for his peers and elders. Each learning station will help him grow as an individual while also encouraging cooperative play.

Give your toddler the gift of a Montessori education by calling The Montessori School in Dallas, Texas at (972) 985-8844. You can also call our Allen campus at (972) 727-2800 for more information on the benefits of the Montessori Approach.

Parents often have many questions when it comes to The Montessori School because it implements such a unique way of educating children. These questions might revolve around common myths of Montessori education, such as children not socializing or children being allowed to do whatever they want in the classroom. Let’s look at the most common questions, and their answers, that parents have about Montessori classrooms.

Are children allowed to do anything they want while in class?

People outside of The Montessori School believe that children can do whatever they want during school. However, Montessori children are taught to manage their own behaviors to achieve their goals. They are allowed to work at their own pace or learn in different methods better suited for themselves, but they are still required to complete their tasks, and there is always an instructor watching over the classroom to track each student’s progress.

Are children encouraged to socialize while in the classroom?

Achieving independence and learning individually are some of the main goals in Montessori classrooms, but children are always encouraged to socialize and learn from one another. For example, Montessori children practice an educational segment called “grace and courtesy” to encourage learning manners, speaking with their peers, and following directions.

Are children taught from mainstream educational conventions?

Mainstream educational conventions typically include textbooks and daily homework. These tools are not often found in Montessori schools, because it is believed that they limit children’s natural curiosity and ability to learn information for themselves. Teaching from a textbook only tells children how to find answers in one manner instead of searching for answers through different means. Homework is another limiting convention that teaches children to learn only certain concepts. Children, and parents, are encouraged to learn through their natural interests and discovery. Still, you can rest assured that the curriculum will match state standards so your child will be prepared for middle school, high school, and beyond.

Learn the answers to more questions by calling The Montessori School in Allen, Texas and Dallas, Texas. Our Starcreek campus can be reached at (972) 727-2800, and our North Dallas campus at (972) 985-8844.

Once your child leaves her Montessori school for the day or weekend, she should still be surrounded by the Montessori tactics she has learned in school. Maintaining the Montessori approach at home will reinforce the skills and lessons your child learns every day so that she grows up as a well-rounded, self-disciplined child. Watch the attached video and read on to see how to create an engaging Montessori environment at home.

Set up your child’s learning environment with furniture and items meant for her size and understanding. Choose engaging and educational toys and objects, such as plants and tools, that can teach your child about daily life skills and encourage her curiosity.

Learn more about the value of Montessori schools with a Montessori school enrollment in Allen, Texas. Please call The Montessori School at Starcreek at (972) 727-2800 or our North Dallas campus at (972) 985-8844 for more information.

Dr. Maria Montessori’s Method embraces hands-on, self-directed learning activities. Because of this, students at The Montessori School devote much of their time to work that does not require computers, but we do embrace a 21 ^st century curriculum that includes computer instruction. Students in our Montessori school learn computer literacy skills that include keyboarding and mouse skills.

All students in our primary and elementary programs have the opportunity to take computer classes in our modern multimedia lab, with the intention of applying their skills to the Montessori curriculum. Students have limited access to the Internet, based on their personal maturity level, the purpose of their project, and the computer skills they have acquired.

Music instruction, outdoor gardening, and culinary arts are some of the other enrichment opportunities your child can explore at our elementary school. Parents are welcome to call The Montessori School in Allen at (972) 727-2800 or in North Dallas at (972) 985-8844.