You might have hundreds of criteria to consider when it comes to choosing the ideal nursery school for children. But if you want to find a true Montessori school of international standards, below are 6 MUST-KNOW features for your reference.
1. Mix-aged Montessori classroom
Two groupings in a Montessori classroom of international standards are 0-3 and 3-6, making a small society where young children experience various relationships (family and friends) and roles (a leader, an assistant, a caretaker, the youngest, the oldest, and the middle child).
In this way, the younger children can learn from each other and from the older ones. Meanwhile, the older children learn how to care for, respect, and love the younger ones. Through observations and free exploration, young children reinforce their knowledge, understanding, and skills of flexible cooperation, self-learning, independence, and responsibility.
2. Uninterrupted work cycle
Children practice the ability to focus with uninterrupted work cycle from 1.5 hours for 0-3 and 2.5 hours for 3-6. Children are given freedom to explore the environment, teachers at that time will step back to observe and only intervene when necessary.
3. Prepared environment
With spacious room filled with bright light, different learning areas, and materials nicely arranged from simple to complex, from easy to difficult. There’s only one set of each material, which is beautiful, ordered, and inviting to children. There are plants in the room for children to take care of daily. Natural materials such as wood, fabric, and bamboo are used.
Thanks to those things, children are always inspired to explore and experience to obtain knowledge and discipline, patience, and respect to the environment.
4. Respect freedom within limit
Children are free to choose what and how they want to work on depending on their interests, needs, and personal pace. They are also given freedom for trial-correction to obtain knowledge and refine their skills.
5. No punishment, rewards, competition, or comparison
Teachers don’t compliment, complain, reward, punish, or compare children with each other. Instead, they gently acknowledge and encourage children day after day. They also respect their difference and unique personality, empower them for them to develop their creativity.
6. International Montessori teachers
Teachers are well trained in international Montessori education and certified by leading Montessori organisations in the world such as International Association of Progressive Montessori (IAPM) and American Montessori Society (AMS).
