If you have decided to enroll your child in a Montessori school, you must choose the right one. There are plenty of Montessori schools available today, making it quite difficult to tell which ones are the best in terms of quality of education and facilities offered and which ones aren’t.
But choosing the best Montessori school for your child is crucial because you can’t afford to gamble with your child’s future. Thankfully, we are here to help you. We give you some top things you should look for in a Montessori school near me. Without further ado, let’s delve into them.
- Qualified and certified teachers
A non-teaching assistant should always be present in the classroom in addition to a qualified Montessori teacher who leads it. The teacher should hold a diploma from the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). The assistant teacher must be there to ensure the surroundings are safe and supervise outdoor activities.
Visit the school in question and watch the teacher in action. Instead of addressing the class from the front, does the teacher walk around the smaller groups of students? Do they follow rather than take the lead? Do they interact politely and patiently with the learners? A class is run like a Montessori classroom if the teacher gently facilitates learning rather than controlling every aspect.
- A real Montessori Learning environment
The school setting shouldn’t be comparable to that of a public school other than having Montessori resources available. Knowing what to look for will make identifying a real Montessori program quite simple. Here are some traits of a true Montessori institution:
- When you enter the front doors, you need to notice how warm, secure, and friendly the environment is
- A vibrant space filled with Montessori resources, artwork, plants, and kid-sized furniture
- Furniture arranged in groups rather than separately
- Arranged items that are placed on a child’s reach
- Children’s-friendly restrooms
- A room for life skills
- A tidy, orderly space
- High-quality Montessori learning materials
The quality of the classroom supplies is one important characteristic of a top-notch Montessori institution. Materials should include activities related to language, mathematics, science, geography, sensorial, and practical life (including art). There will only be one of each resource available to the students, so someone can always work independently.
Most Montessori teaching tools are constructed of wood and are vividly colored. The sound cylinders, movable alphabet, puzzle maps, pink tower, beads, and math checkerboard are some of the more popular Montessori products to look for.
- Accreditation
Look for accreditation if you want proof that the Montessori school you are considering adheres to Maria Montessori’s philosophy and teaching methods. It is not necessary for schools to be members of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) or the American Montessori Society (AMS). However, it’s a sign of authenticity if a school goes out of its way to associate itself with other reputable organizations that offer the same courses.