Why Your Child Needs Time to Focus

The work period, giving kids between two and a half to three hours to work and learn, is one of the keystones of Montessori philosophy. The length of this work period is important because it allows kids to learn and gives children time to focus on the task.

Have you ever wondered why the work period needs to be so long? Here is a breakdown of how your child develops focus during this extended period of time.

The Montessori Work Period

Montessori philosophy was developed by Maria Montessori, based on her extensive research and experience as a teacher. She found that children needed an extended period of time to work independently in order to buckle down and really focus. Kids go through several distinct phases during the work period, the last of which shows the development of true concentration. Allowing for a work period of 2.5 to 3 hours therefore helps teach kids not only the topic at hand, but also the valuable skill of focusing on a task.

Warming Up

Think for a moment about how you start a day at work. If you’re like most people, you prefer to “warm up” by getting started with an easy task, such as checking email.

Children are the same way. When she observed children during an extended work period, Maria Montessori found that they tended to start out with an easy task. Once they accomplished that, they moved on to a slightly more difficult task. These “easy” tasks often include things they’ve done before, making them familiar — a good “warm-up.”

False Fatigue

After the first couple tasks are completed, children tend to get a little restless. An inexperienced teacher may feel this means the children’s focus is expended and it’s time for a new activity, but Montessori philosophy holds that it’s simply time for a break before the real work begins.

You probably operate the same way: After warming up by checking email and completing some light work, you take a break to get coffee, use the restroom, or go for a walk before really buckling down. Children need this break too, but they also need the time after the break to help them learn to focus.

The Final Phase

After the short period of restlessness that occurs during the “false fatigue” stage, the children are refreshed and ready to tackle the most important and challenging work of the day. Children tend to choose more challenging tasks during this stage, and pursue them with a deeper, almost unbreakable focus.

The Montessori Philosophy

The work period is one of the most important things that a Montessori curriculum can offer your child. Having between two and a half and three hours to work allows children the opportunity to learn important skills, such as focus, that will carry them through the rest of their schooling and adulthood.

To find out how our Montessori schools can help your child achieve these skills, contact us today and schedule a tour.

Montessori for Kids with Special Needs

The Montessori unique educational philosophy, nurturing environment, trained teachers, and specially-created hands-on materials work beautifully for a child with special needs, whether with learning differences or physical disabilities. The special educational demands can be daunting, but it is gratifying teachers and parents see the miraculous results of the joy of learning and see advances in the child’s cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development.

How Grades Are Divided

Montessori schools normally divide children by age: 0-3 (toddler), 3-6 (preschool and kindergarten), 6-9 (lower elementary) and 9-12 (upper elementary). During ages 0-6, the learning is mostly child-directed based on the child’s choices and needs. The teacher’s goal is to “follow the child”, observe what the child is interested in, what the strengths and weaknesses are, and then presenting the proper materials. .

Some Classrooms are Multi-Aged

This gives that special child a chance to learn from older children and gives no feelings of being “held back” if it is found necessary to repeat a grade. Such children will often flourish when they can use their own individual speed and have the freedom to progress with their reading, writing, and research in a direction that they can handle.

Using the Materials and Making Friends

The enticing materials are hands-on, therapeutic, and engage all the senses. Since they slowly and lovingly teach one skill at a time, children with special needs are very encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace without the stress of grades, test scores, teasing, and competition from the other students. The children are encouraged to befriend and accept the special needs child.

Communication is Important

The teachers and the parents may meet more frequently than usual for conferences and to discuss how the child is progressing, what skills he or she has mastered, which ones are being worked on, and which ones still need to be learned. The parents may also want to come in and observe the child at different times to reassure themselves that the child is having a happy and educating experience.

Will Montessori Work?

Each child is different, and it all depends on the school’s curriculum, the teachers, the child, and the other children. If your child is benefiting in important ways, and especially if he or she loves to go there, it is worth trying to continue to make it work even if there are occasional setbacks. We invite you to come in and tour our Pleasanton Montessori School and see if the Montessori environment is right for you.

Library Time for Children

The library is a fun place for younger kids…

…and the perfect place to let them grow a great love for books. There is never an age that is too young for kids to develop a love for books. Exposure to books and reading from an early age will help children grow into successful adults.

Kids of all ages, and particularly toddlers and preschoolers, will have a lot of fun learning options at the Alameda County Library. The library staff provide a range of fun activities to help children and their parents explore the world of books together.

Infants

Babies can develop and early appreciation for stories when their parents read to them. Books are not only a good way to lay the foundations for better reading skills, but familiar picture books help children identify objects.

• Playtime activities that involve babies as young as one year and their parents help set the stage for a life of learning
• Storytime in a group setting helps babies learn to love stories and socialize with other children
• Singalong concerts for children as young as one year help foster a love for music

Ages 2 through 4

Kids between 2 and 4 have a lot of great opportunities to develop a love for reading and learning. One of the best things about this age is that many kids will start learning to read if exposed to books a lot.

• Preschool art classes help kids learn to create art in a fun setting
• Drop-in storytime incorporates fun stories with songs and games
• Preschool playtime offers a fun story, along with dancing and a craft parents can help out with
• Concerts featuring fun songs that kids can join in with will continue or start an appreciation for music

Ages 5 through 8

Kindergarten and younger elementary school-age kids benefit from fun activities with a hands-on emphasis. These activities will increase their love for reading and other subjects.

• Nature programs that include seeing reptiles up close and opportunities to read to dogs make the library a fun place
• Reading times in Russian and other languages can help give kids an aptitude for new languages
• Summer reading classes that also introduce kids to writing help strengthen language skills overall

Ages 9 to 12

Even though most kids this age read a lot, fun activities related to books are a good way to ensure they retain a love for reading.

• Creative art activities are a fun social event for tweens
• Interactive programs on subjects such as mythology make learning more exciting
• Monthly book clubs provide great discussion on favorite books

The foundation of Dr. Montessori’s teaching method is based on the belief that the child is born into this world full of potential. The unique method she developed was designed to harness this natural potential and allow the child to take responsibility of his/her education. At the Montessori Children’s House in Fremont, our story time for children help develop a child’s listening skills. For more information on the Montessori Method and how it may be right for your child, contact us today.

Toddler Garden

Spring and summer are the ideal times to focus on the joy of gardening.

The Urban Farm/Toddler Garden is an example of the Montessori philosophy of Dr. Montessori. She envisioned a natural environment that would practice community living and be in harmony with nature.

Benefits

• Starting to learn gardening at a very young age increases a love and appreciation of nature that will be helpful throughout life.
• When students grow their own food, they tend to eat more healthy fruits and vegetables.
• Students have reported that they feel happy, safe, and relaxed in a school garden. Community gardening also improves teamwork and social skills.
• It is certainly fun to plant seeds and then see the fruit, vegetable, or flower come out of the ground and continue to grow and bloom. Besides planting the seeds, the toddlers can help water the plants, rake fallen leaves, and weed. Teach what each weed looks like, the name, and what is NOT a weed so the latter won’t get pulled.
• In the winter months, a garden can be moved indoors to continue the experience.

Creating a Garden

1. Names and Descriptions: Even before seeing the plant or flower come up, at the point of planting the seeds, create lessons on each name and description.
2. Edible Only: Plant only those plants that are edible.
3. Storage boxes:  Rather than trays, use plastic storage boxes and keep the lids on when not in use. That way the seeds and tools can’t blow away or fall.
4. Weather Prepared: Prepare for all kinds of weather. When it’s hot, have the children wear sun screen and a sun hat and work in a shady area. If it might rain, have them wear a rain coat and boots. Have towels available for wiping off.

Real child-size garden tools

These are designed especially for children and may include a shovel, a hoe, a spade, a garden rake, a trowel, and other items.

Canvas Garden Tote and Tools

Sturdy pockets and a roomy interior can hold seed packets, small gloves, scaled-down tools, and more.

Radio Flyer Child-Size Mini-Wheelbarrow

This strong all-steel wheelbarrow meant for ages three to six looks like its full-size “cousin” and can do the same work

Come and See for Yourself

Though much has been said about the academic achievements of Montessori children, the main value of the educational method lies in the self-discipline, self-motivation, independence, and love of learning that the children achieve.  To learn more about our Mission Valley Montessori program, contact us to schedule a tour.

How to Teach Self-Care

A Montessori education will help your child reach his or her potential and provide them with a life-long love of learning.

Their unique learning materials in an environment created attractively and orderly; will provide your child a special view of their world. In this environment your child will be guided and encouraged to develop independence and creativity at their own pace as the Montessori Method of teaching observes your child and individualizes the lessons according to needs.

Teaching Self-Care

One of the most important areas of a Montessori education for your child will be the lessons in Practical Life. These will teach your child how important it is to think and act independently and with this are the lessons in self-care.

Self-care is an area you will be able to reinforce at home as your child learns how to:

• Wipe their nose,
• Brush their teeth properly,
• How to dress by using zippers, buttons, snaps and other closures,
• Putting clothing away by placing on hooks or hangers,
• Personal hygiene process such as combing hair, washing, and other daily maintenance; and,
• Many other basic daily living tasks

When these activities are presented with enthusiasm and are broken down into simple steps, your child will feel encouraged as they begin to practice them independently. An important thing to remember when your child is learning self-care is that they are growing and working at becoming the adult they will one day be. You as an adult, work to get a task done quickly and move onto the next one. A child will want to master a task and will work repeatedly to perfect the job and then move on to another.

Allow the child to practice self-care

Your child will be given time to practice self-care skills which is a great way for them to feel capable of mastering them. It will also help your child increase their self-esteem and give them the desire to learn and grow more. Self-care will provide the opportunity for your child to feel in charge of their own body.  The Montessori Method allows your child to explore these skills and to possibly fail so that they can learn by mistakes and try again. It is amazing what children can learn when given the freedom to do things by themselves.

Self-care through independent play

In the Montessori classroom independent play is supervised, but without interference as this is an important self-care skill. Your child can make amazing discoveries through independent play as they are allowed to choose play activities and repeat them as often as they like.

The foundation of Dr. Montessori’s teaching method is based on the belief that the child is born into this world full of potential. The unique method she developed was designed to harness this natural potential and allow the child to take responsibility of his/her education.  Part of that foundation, is our communication with Montessori Parents. To learn more about our Montessori Pleasanton program, contact us to schedule a tour.

Summer Science At Home

What do you do with your child over the summer?

Help them explore their natural world with the following science activities that can be done with common household items.

Rainbow Liquids Jar

Montessori Language Objects

The Montessori approach to teaching your child language concepts is done at your child’s level and pace.

By allowing a child to progress through strategies at their own pace makes learning individual and more successful.

Language development within the Montessori schoolroom

When your child arrives at their Montessori schoolroom they will have already absorbed the language they hear and use every day. They will have created their own dialect so the entrance into the schoolroom will allow them to begin exploring the written language. Language is an intricate part of how we think and the child that speaks should be listened to. When they listen to us speak they hear proper articulation and punctuation; when we listen to them we hear where they need correction. Montessori concepts are to listen and to assist in any correction that is needed. They inspire your child to speak with others as learning what sounds words make they can begin applying that knowledge to writing words.

Montessori teachers have the opportunity to expand your child’s learning

The Montessori teacher can expand and develop a learning relationship with your child. This makes an incredible difference in the success your child will experience. When they exchange conversations with your child during time on the playground, field trips and even just moving around the building or classroom they have the time to create the context for the development of language skills. These are unique opportunities to build trust for your child with their teacher and peers. Classroom activities can then be built on this trust and expanded.

The Montessori language area

The development of early literacy skills are introduced to your child through activities when they visit the language area of the classroom. Through a program known as, reading readiness children have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary, listen to sounds and look to find similarities and differences among objects and pictures. They are introduced to common names for tools, household objects and things within their environment. Teachers monitor which activities are being used most and those being left to “gather dust” so they know when to introduce new material to keep discovery growing. They will continue to expand your child’s opportunity to refine and expand their literacy skills. Three very effective tools were designed for the Montessori classroom; metal insets, sand paper letters and the movable alphabet.

Metal insets

These provide your child with an appealing opportunity to practice the component strokes of letters. The Montessori belief is that tracing complete shapes would be satisfying for young children and provide them with the opportunity to refine their pencil control. They gain fine motor control by first tracing the frame of the shape and then later more challenging freestanding metal shapes.

Sandpaper letters

When your child is young, he or she learns by touching, looking and listening. When they are introduced to sandpaper letters they are able to stroke the letter shape, hear the sound of the letter while simultaneously seeing its form.

Movable Alphabet

Once your child associates sounds and forms of letters, they will move on to composing words. With the use of multiple sets of cutout letters your child will be encouraged to select letters and compose whatever words they like. This is not the same as spelling; it is composing words by the sounds they know the letter makes.

Contact a Montessori school in your area and schedule a tour to see how our programs, including our lower elementary Montessori program, works with young children. See how we can help your child achieve an education at their own pace in an environment designed just for them.

Learning the Alphabet

Or A certain Order of Letters

Introducing your preschooler to the alphabet should not be done in the order they appear. There are much better ways to introduce the ABC’s so your child will actually make words with the letters as they learn them. A Montessori education introduces children to letters by using their phonetic sounds instead of by their names.

One method of order for teaching the alphabet

Tim Seldin, author of How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way suggests these letters be first to introduce to your child. He suggests you introduce them in six different sets:

1. First: c m a t
2. Second: s r i p
3. Third: b f o g
4. Fourth: h j u l
5. Fifth: d w e n
6. Sixth: k q v x y z

This method is used by some Montessori classrooms and there are variations. Some introduce the letter that starts your child’s first name as a starting point.

Introducing letter sounds and names

Sandpaper letters are a wonderful way to introduce your child to letter sounds with their names. In this method, have your child trace the letter and say its phonetic sound at the same time. It is a great way for your child to remember through auditory, visual and tactile inputs.

Some of the principles you may want to implement that is effective in teaching letter sounds are:

• Begin with the short vowel sounds before you introduce the long vowels
• Don’t focus on the letter names to start, just the sounds.
• Begin with the lowercase letters to introduce the sounds.
• Even though some letters make more than one sound, start with its most common sound first.

Normally, unless your child has had a lot of exposure to sounds and letters, you should start with only two or three letters at a time.

In the Montessori setting children are introduced first to the letters that have some connection for them such as their first name. This is followed by one that is contrasting to that letter so the shapes and sounds are completely different.

How to start the introduction

Begin by sitting with your child and introduce one letter at a time using the sand paper technique. Call the letter by its sound and then the name. Trace the letter in the same way as you would write it. As you are tracing it say what sound it makes and what it is called asking your child to repeat what you say.

To help your child relate the sound and letter to something tell them a few words that use the letter. Give your child the opportunity to practice identifying the letter by tracing and saying the sounds. Turn the letter upside down so your child cannot see it and repeat the process with the second letter.

Once you’ve introduced both, turn them both up and ask your child to find one of them. Ask them to show you which is “a” and if they can trace it? Repeat with the second letter and ask for example for them to place the “b” on your lap. Continue having them identify the different letters until you feel they are comfortable enough to move on to new sounds and letters.

The Montessori method to learning the alphabet has many more details which you can learn about by scheduling a tour at our Fremont daycare. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.

Teaching Fractions

Math, in general, can be a confusing and frustrating time in your child’s education. Fractions,  particularly is one of the hardest areas to master. In the traditional classroom setting, parents and students both relate to how difficult this learning experience can be.

There is a better way to build fraction knowledge

The Montessori approach to building fraction knowledge uses materials like the; Fraction Circles, Fraction Circle Box, and skittles. This is a hands-on approach for your child to actually “feel” fractions. Your child uses these materials to discover fraction concepts such as equivalent fractions and is able to visualize what they are.

These materials: Fraction Circles, Fraction Circle Box, and green skittles are also used in showing terms such as “families” and “sharing equally” for division. They are used in showing how to divide with whole numbers and a lot of other concepts. The child is allowed to focus on new concepts and at the same time are able to see how it relates to those taught before. By using consistent materials and terminology, the student is less frustrated as they recognize parts of information taught earlier.

The Montessori concept to teaching new strategies and concepts is based on how your child is progressing. They look at each student’s personal growth and comfort level in the material before moving them on to new material. By allowing your child to be comfortable in their knowledge allows them to be successful which builds confidence in them. This approach to learning fractions prevents your child from hating fractions as they are only asked to do what they are ready to do. Making learning fun and easy with consistent materials helps your child discover fraction knowledge much easier.

How the Fraction Circle works

You need your child to visualize what exactly is a fraction. Showing the circle and explaining this represents “1” as it is 1 circle. Then explain sometimes we need numbers smaller than 1 and show how the circle splits into two parts. As you do this draw a horizontal line on a sheet of paper. Ask your child how many pieces do they see and they will answer 2. Write the 2 below the line you drew. Give this number a name by explaining it is called the “denominator”. You can repeat this process by cutting the red circle into different pieces and asking the same question and writing the answer under different lines showing how the “denominator” is determined.

From this point going back to show what the “numerator” is should make some sense to your child. For example with the circle divided into 2 parts hold up 1 piece and ask how many pieces are you holding up? Then answer “1” will be placed over the line with 2. Explaining that you are holding 1 out of the 2 pieces.This process is repeated with each of the divided circles you have made allowing your child to actually see how the fraction was created and what it actually stands for. This same Fraction Circle will work as your child progresses and goes into adding, subtracting and many other fraction lessons.

A Montessori education is a child-centered approach to education and is designed to allow your child to discover, explore and learn at a pace that makes learning comfortable and interesting. Call our North Fremont preschool in your area and schedule a tour to see how remarkable and effective a Montessori approach may be.

Why Napping is Important for Preschoolers

From the time they are born, most children take a nap. Many parents relent when their toddlers and preschoolers start refusing naps. However, there are several benefits of keeping your preschool-age child on a regular nap schedule.

Napping Promotes Growth

Children often go through growth spurts. When they do, they require extra food during meals. They also require extra sleep. Studies have shown, that children grow when they are sleeping. When you take your child’s nap away, it can affect them physically.

Behavior Problems

When a child does not get the rest that they need, they can become very fussy. If your child is deprived a nap, at a time of the day that they are supposed to be playing, they will be fussy, needy, ad clingy. If you want your child to be the happy little angel that they always are, you should not cut naptime from their schedule.

They Become Overtired

Many parents believe that if they stop putting their child down for a nap, that they will fall asleep better. This is not the case. When a child does not get their regular nap, they will get stressed, irritable, wired, and bedtime will be even more difficult. Your child needs to nap.

More Mental Focus

For the first time in their lives, preschoolers need to start using their brains and be part of an organized classroom. If they don’t get their regular nap, it can have a negative effect on their focus. When they are in class, they won’t get the maximum benefit from the class, because they won’t be able to focus and sit still. They will be fresher, more alert, and well behaved if they are allowed to take a nap at their scheduled time.

A Break for the Caregiver

While napping can greatly benefit your child, it can also be helpful to you. Chasing your child around all day can be very exhausting, both mentally and physically. When you put your child down for a nap for an hour or two, it gives you a time to recharge, so that you are fresh and ready to go when your child wakes up.

If your preschool-age child is ready to start their learning career in an organized classroom, you should take a tour of the Montessori School in the Bay Area.