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Creativity is often lacking in the majority of younger students in traditional educational settings, but not in the best Montessori schools. In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, 12-year-olds in these programs write creative and complex stories and have better social skills than their counterparts in public settings. Let’s closely examine how these institutions foster and enable creativity among their students.

Fosters Creativity in Students

Montessori focuses on enabling children to think and work creatively instead of subjecting them to rote lesson plans. The school places an equal emphasis on art, music, and writing to help foster the skills that allow pupils to think and act creatively. They also learn the basic principles of reading, writing, and math all the while striving to creatively apply traditional educational skills and tools.

Emphasizes Creativity Through Team Competitions

The best Montessori schools provide many opportunities for students to compete. Kids can join teams in pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) excellence. Teams work together and enter local, regional, and sometimes national competitions with others who are their age. The respective teams often choose to work on STEM-based projects that give them the opportunity to creatively apply what they are learning in the classroom, which fosters greater interest in various subjects and promotes individual as well as group creativity.

Offers the Opportunity to Take Educational Ownership

College scholars have the opportunity to choose specialized courses of study and electives that interest them. So do Montessori students, as they can choose what they prefer to study and proceed at their own pace to learn their respective lessons. These institutions enable pupils to have more control over their individual lesson plans. There is no standardized curriculum for everyone, which enables children to take ownership of their respective educations and focus on subjects and lessons that hold their interest.

Allows Learning Outside of the Traditional Classroom

Another unique educational method used involves getting students outside of traditional classrooms. Many lessons are taught outdoors in gardens, on patios, and in other locations where they have a direct connection to nature. Instead of looking at the same four walls every day, children can enjoy varied learning environments.

If you’re a parent who’s interested in these incredible educational experiences for your children, look no further. Our faculty here at Rowntree Montessori School are ready to answer your questions and give your family a tour of our wonderful facilities. Contact us today!

There are many advantages to the Montessori school system, one of which is its emphasis on spatial learning. This type of learning is a unique method that utilizes the environment to help children develop both their mental and physical skills. Did you know there are 4,000 Montessori schools, according to the U.S. News? With many of them utilizing spatial learning, let’s take a look how this style of learning works and why it is becoming increasingly popular in Montessori schools.

1. What Is Spatial Learning?

Spatial learning is a style of teaching which takes advantage of the environment around the student to facilitate learning. It does this by harnessing sensory cues, such as colors and shapes of objects, spatial relationships between them, and even tactile cues like texture. Working with these elements helps children to understand the world around them on a deeper level, and it also allows them to develop their problem-solving skills.

2. How Does It Work?

Spatial learning works by engaging the students in activities that involve their environment. For example, students might use objects to create models of a city or draw pictures depicting the stories they are reading. By manipulating and rearranging items, children can gain a better understanding of the material and how it relates to their surroundings.

3. The Benefits

The primary benefit of spatial learning is that it enables students to think critically and creatively. It also helps them to develop skills such as problem-solving and visualizing the bigger picture. Additionally, this style of learning encourages children to explore their environment and become more confident in expressing their ideas.

4. Why Is It Growing in Popularity?

Spatial learning is growing in popularity in Montessori schools due to its effectiveness and the fact that it gives students a more active role in their learning experience. As mentioned previously, this method of teaching encourages problem-solving which can help children develop their critical thinking skills. Furthermore, its hands-on approach makes it fun and engaging for students of all ages.

5. Later Benefits

In addition to the immediate benefits, it also helps children develop skills that will be useful later in life, such as spatial reasoning and organization. These skills are essential for success in any field. However, if your child dreams of becoming an engineer, architect, or designer down the line, spatial learning may prove to be particularly beneficial.

Spatial learning is a powerful tool that helps children learn by utilizing their environment. It encourages problem-solving and critical thinking, as well as gives students a more active role in their learning experience. Contact our local Montessori schools today for more information about our programs.

The Montessori framework offers a unique method of early childhood education, nurturing different learning styles and preparing students for future success. By providing an environment designed to foster independence, responsibility, and respect, this educational system helps children to develop essential skills they will take into adulthood. Read on to see how your child can benefit from a Montessori kindergarten education.

1. Developing Confidence and Independence

Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning development. There are self-directed activities, individualized instruction, and hands-on materials. Therefore, children in Montessori kindergarten will have a head start nurturing their unique learning styles while developing a sense of independence and self-confidence.

2. Utilizing Different Learning Styles

This educational system encourages children to learn by offering an approach based on observation and experimentation. Young children find their individual learning styles by exploring different materials and activities in math, language arts, science, and art. Spatial learning, kinesthetic learning, and visual learning are all welcomed and encouraged in the Montessori framework.

3. Fostering Creativity and Problem-Solving

Young students get to think outside the box when asked to create solutions and develop new ideas. Through play-based activities, problem-solving tasks, and creative projects, young students can learn how to apply their knowledge in various contexts. For example, they can explore mathematical concepts using materials like blocks or put together puzzles to develop spatial reasoning.

4. Increased Social Interaction

The Montessori framework helps children to develop important social skills, such as communication and collaboration. Children are always encouraged to take part in group activities and learn to work with others. Each child has an opportunity to share their ideas in a socially healthy environment. It’s not the type of learning environment where children just sit in a classroom doing rote memorization.

5. Preparing for Future Success

Nurturing unique learning styles and encouraging critical thinking are just a few of the benefits that children can get from a Montessori kindergarten. Through an engaging curriculum, students can develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills, which are essential for future success. Additionally, this type of education also helps children become independent learners and productive members of society.

According to Forbes, over the last 20 years, the number of public Montessori schools has grown rapidly due to the spread of private school choice and charter schools. As such, these schools offer an excellent opportunity for young children to develop their full potential while learning in an environment that nurtures their unique learning styles. Contact our admissions office for more information about how our educational system can work for your child.

Parents looking at kindergartens in the Ontario area may need help figuring out where to start. One option parents should consider is a Montessori school that offers sensory learning activities to promote development in young children. Sensory learning activities allow students to explore the world around them through their senses, such as touching, smelling, seeing, and hearing. Here are some benefits of such activities.

1. Promotes Cognitive Development

Studies have shown that sensory activities positively impact cognitive development in children. During these activities, students are encouraged to think critically and come up with solutions. Furthermore, tactile experiences can help improve memory, which allows children to understand better and retain what they learn in school.

2. Improves Motor Skills

Another benefit of incorporating sensory learning activities into a kindergarten’s curriculum is it helps promote motor skill development. Students learn fine and gross motor skills through these activities, which can help them in life-long endeavors such as sports, art, and music. Motor skills also aid in everyday tasks like getting dressed and tying shoes.

3. Encourages Creativity

Getting in tune with different senses encourages children to explore and develop creative ideas. When faced with a challenge, students become inventive problem solvers as they use their imagination to find solutions. Through sensory activities, children can also develop an appreciation and respect for the world around them. Such activities allow a child’s inner musical or art prodigy to emerge.

4. Teaches Self-Regulation

Sensory learning activities also benefit students by teaching them how to self-regulate their emotions. Through such activities, they can understand the connection between their feelings and actions and respond appropriately in different situations.

5. Enhances Language Development

Studies have shown that sensory activities help improve language development in children. Through such activities in kindergartens, students learn to recognize language patterns and can identify more words which helps them become better readers. In addition, by engaging in sensory learning activities, kids get the opportunity to express themselves through different forms of communication like gestures, facial expressions, and pictures.

The benefits of these learning activities make them a great choice for parents seeking kindergarten options. With the Montessori Method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s and offered by many schools today, according to the American Montessori Society, children learn through their senses and develop key skills that can help them succeed. Contact our school for more information and to get started with the enrollment process.

Montessori schools are popular today, being well-trusted and respected for their commitment to providing quality education to young children. Their philosophy is based on the belief that a child’s potential is best realized when they’re allowed to work and learn in an environment that encourages discovery, exploration, and self-expression. Below are some of the many ways these types of schools can help give your child an early educational advantage.

Encourage Creativity

Traditional schools have a tendency to focus on rote memorization and a more structured curriculum. Montessori schools, by contrast, place an emphasis on creativity in the learning process. Children in these institutions are encouraged to engage in activities such as art, music, and physical education that allow them to explore creativity outside of the traditional classroom environment. These extracurricular classes help nurture their creative skills, a trait that can be vital for success in later life.

Create Balance

Many parents fear that these institutions don’t have enough balance in their curriculum. On the contrary, according to Forbes, Montessori schools had opened in other European countries by 2019, and in 1911, the first one opened in the United States as a private school in Scarborough, New York. For over 100 years, these schools have provided children with a balanced curriculum that encourages academic excellence, play-based learning, and outdoor activities.

Encourage Curiosity

There is a huge importance in encouraging curiosity in young children. After all, curiosity is essential for lifelong learning! By creating an environment where every student feels safe to ask questions and explore their interests, Montessori schools foster independent thinking and encourage students to develop critical skills such as problem-solving.

Promote Collaboration

At a Montessori school, collaboration is encouraged through mixed-age classrooms that promote interaction between different ages by allowing older students to act as mentors to younger students. This type of mentorship helps promote social skills, compassion, and empathy in young children, all of which are important for success in later life.

Develop Critical Thinking

The Montessori philosophy focuses on developing critical thinking skills in children. Through the use of hands-on activities, such as puzzles and problem-solving tasks, these schools help foster a deeper understanding of the material by allowing children to form their own conclusions based on their observations. This emphasis on critical thinking provides a strong foundation for future academic success.

At its core, Montessori education is focused on providing an environment where children can explore and discover the world around them. If you have more questions and want to explore an institution near you, then feel free to call us today!

As a parent, you have to make a lot of tough decisions regarding your children. That includes deciding when your child is ready for kindergarten. If you’re considering enrolling your child in a Montessori kindergarten, here are some tips to help you decide if they’re ready.

Counting and Alphabet Skills

Counting to 10 and reciting the alphabet are both good benchmarks for deciding if your child is ready to start kindergarten. Kindergarten is designed to build on a basic foundation that you lay at home, so it’s good to make sure your child understands the alphabet and basic counting. The more you can teach your child about the basics of counting, spelling, and reading, the easier it’ll be for them to start school.

Motor Skills

In addition to making sure your child knows how to count and say the alphabet, you should also make sure they have basic motor skills before they attend kindergarten. Your child doesn’t need to have incredibly advanced motor skills to start kindergarten, but they should be able to hold pencils, scissors, and other objects they may need to hold.

Bathroom Skills

It’s not uncommon for preschool children to need a little help with the restroom, but you should make sure your child knows how to use the bathroom on their own before you send them off to a kindergarten. Your child should be able to use the restroom on their own and wash their hands, and they should also be able to get dressed on their own.

Behavioral Skills

When your child attends a Montessori kindergarten, they need to behave themselves when they’re at school. It’s not unusual for young children to have minor disciplinary issues from time to time, but your child might not be ready for kindergarten if they have frequent outbursts or trouble listening. It’s up to you as a parent to gauge whether or not your child can behave well enough to start kindergarten.

Sending your child to a private school for kindergarten is a big decision, so you don’t want to rush it. A Montessori kindergarten can be a great way to start your child’s education. According to U.S. News and World Report, there are about 4,000 Montessori private schools in existence, and that number is rising. If you think your child might be ready for a Montessori kindergarten, contact us at Rowntree Montessori School to find out more.

You want the best education for your child, and you might be considering private school. According to The Council for American Private Education, 34,576 private schools across the United States serve about 5.7 million students, so there are plenty of options in your area. If you’re considering a local private school, here’s what you should know about how it can improve your child’s test scores.

Personalized Teaching

When you enroll your child in a public school, you can’t necessarily choose which teachers they get or what sort of classroom environments they’re in. A local private school can provide a better education for students because teachers get more one-on-one time with students. Everybody learns differently, and private schools can address those different learning styles to give your child the education they need.

Smaller Class Sizes

Some public schools have very large class sizes, and that can be distracting for many students. On top of that, larger classes mean teachers don’t have as much one-on-one time with students. A local private school will have smaller class sizes than public schools, so your child can learn in a safe and comfortable environment. When students have an opportunity to learn in an environment that suits their needs, test results will be better.

High Academic Standards

Public schools vary quite a bit in terms of the quality of education they provide, but private schools tend to have higher academic standards which often result in better education. Many private schools are even widely recognized for their high academic standards, and that increased focus on providing a quality education means your child has the resources to earn higher test scores.

Enrolling your child in a private school can be a great way to get them a better education and help improve their test scores. If you’re considering private school, contact us at Rowntree Montessori School to learn more today.

As a parent, making the right choice for your child’s education is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. According to the Department of Education, over the last 20 years, the demand for private education has grown. Privatized education has even affected public schools with the growth of the popular Montessori schools in that sector. So, how do you pick the right local private school for your child? Follow these guidelines to decide.

1. Look at Academics

Private schools are well-known for their academic standards. They set the bar high for academic excellence for both the student body and the teachers. Choose an institution that has a strong reputation for student achievement. Also, make sure you review the subjects offered at the school to see if it’s a good fit for what you want for your child.

2. Consider the Extracurriculars

As a potential private school parent, academic excellence is likely to be very high on your list of must-haves, but academics is not the only experience you should consider. Is there an athletic program at the institution? Are other clubs and extracurricular activities available to make your child’s academic experience positive? It’s important to consider extracurricular activities because they will play an important role in your child’s social development and educational experience.

3. Consider Your Family Values

When evaluating a local private school, you should consider whether the institution is in line with your family’s values. You should make sure you enroll your child in a school that will help them thrive outside of their academics.

4. Logistics

Not every local private school offers transportation. How would you get your child to school in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon? It would be best if you considered logistics when making your choice. Even if an institution ticks off every requirement on your list, it may not be a viable option if the logistics do not work for you.

Choosing the right educational setting for your child is critical. The right choice can make it easier for your child to realize academic success. Choose the local private institution that can tick off all the boxes and provides your child with an excellent educational experience. Give us a call today to learn all about our private education and to start the enrollment process.

One of the many reasons parents choose a local private school for their child’s education is because of the teachers. What is it that makes private school teachers such effective educators? Let’s take a look at several reasons why your local private institution has educators that stand out from the rest.

They Are Highly Qualified

According to the Department of Education, about 60-80% of teachers in a private school setting have a degree in the subject they teach. Most of these schools don’t offer a “lateral entry” program that allows degreed individuals to teach while they work on their teaching credentials, which ensures only qualified candidates are hired.

A teaching degree in the subject being taught and full licensure ensures the educator has taken all the steps necessary to be highly qualified as a teacher. Since they’re qualified, you can rest assured knowing your child is getting taught by someone knowledgeable about the subject.

They Love What They Do

Unfortunately, some teachers “fall into” teaching when they can’t find a job using the degree they earned. For these types of teachers, teaching isn’t their passion. At any local private school, you will find teachers that have always wanted to teach and teaching is their passion. When you love what you do, it shows and it entices the kids to want to learn more. Teachers that truly love teaching have a positive impact on students in their personal and academic life.

They Ensure Great Results

Teachers are held to a higher standard in any local private school to ensure the students achieve great results. Of course, teachers get more support from the community, and since their class sizes are smaller, they can provide more one-on-one time for their students. In a private academic setting, both teachers and children get the support they need to realize academic excellence, and working together gets results.

Your child can be a part of a great community at your local private school. This type of institution is where they’ll find the teachers that will encourage a love of lifetime learning. If you’re ready to enroll your child in a private school near you, then get in touch with us today!

For Canadian parents eager to give their children a private school education, it’s important to know why these schools in Canada are better than school systems in other countries. Attending a school in Brampton, Ontario is certainly different from attending an institution in the United States. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of Canadian Montessori schools.

Benefits of Private School Education

Private schools provide more than regular public education and offer multiple benefits to parents and children, including smaller class sizes, teachers who have a degree in the subject they teach, a better sense of community, and much more. Since students are in smaller classes, they can have the one-on-one time they may need to have a great academic journey. Their teachers will have an investment in the student’s education, which makes your child’s time in school even better.

Private school students gain challenging everyday educational experiences, as well as gifted programs, advanced placement courses, and the renowned IB (International Baccalaureate) program. These programs help students have a better chance of getting into a great college after graduation and passing their classes with a higher score than those in public schools. Even during the start of their academic journey in kindergarten, your child will be encompassed in a great educational opportunity and learn better than public school students are able to.

What Are Montessori Schools?

Montessori is possibly the most well-known private school program. Did you know that, across Canada, there are more than 1000 Montessori schools, according to the Association Montessori Internationale Canada? With so many of these schools across the nation, your child has a chance to excel academically. Montessori schools have a high success rate and are invested in your child’s education.

For parents considering a private school education for their children, it’s worth it to research programs in the local area. There are key differences in attending private institutions in Canada that you should know before enrolling your child in one. Finding out what works best for your student may be the key to his or her future success. Get in touch with us today to learn all about our private school and to start the enrollment process.