| After making the decision to send your child to a | | | | There are other differences but these are some |
| Montessori preschool, how do you decide which | | | | of the main ones to keep an eye open for. |
| one to choose? First, make sure the preschool | | | | The popularity of Montessori schools in Australia is |
| you choose is accredited. Montessori is not | | | | picking up. There are around 170 schools |
| patented so anyone can call themselves a | | | | nationwide. Community associations and |
| Montessori school. There are some differences to | | | | non-profits operate most of them. The number |
| keep in mind. Below I will give you some | | | | of privately owned schools and centers is growing. |
| differences to help you recognize a true | | | | Montessori is also included in the public schools. In |
| Montessori program. | | | | addition to that, there are also culturally based |
| A Montessori school will allow your child to develop | | | | Montessori programs that focus on lessons that |
| naturally while a traditional school will transfer their | | | | teach the children to respect and appreciate their |
| curriculum to the child | | | | own culture. With all the different Montessori |
| Children in a Montessori preschool will be allowed | | | | preschool choices, how do you know which is |
| to set their own time frame and learn what they | | | | right for you? |
| want while a traditional school teaches their own | | | | Look for a center that is run by someone who is |
| set curriculum and everyone learns according to | | | | accredited and has a passion for encouraging and |
| the same time frame | | | | empowering your child to develop to their full |
| A Montessori classroom is a prepared | | | | potential. Find an early childhood expert who is |
| environment meaning the children teach | | | | there every day ready to guide and facilitate the |
| themselves using specially prepared activities. | | | | children through the wide variety of Montessori |
| They learn by active experience and particpation. | | | | activities |
| Since a teacher who stands in front of the class | | | | Look for a Montessori preschool that will make |
| is usual. This then becomes a very passive | | | | your child's safety a priority. For example a |
| learning environment and the children's learning is | | | | preschool that is not only a sun smart center |
| only limited to what the teacher feels is important | | | | (which uses a chemical free sun screen and hats) |
| for them to know | | | | but also only allows authorized people in the |
| A true Montessori teacher works in collaboration | | | | building and those people must sign in and out. In |
| with the children allowing them move around the | | | | addition to that, they should teach your children |
| room freely and talk to others as long as they | | | | the importance of hygiene and how to tidy up |
| aren't disturbing anyone. This environment | | | | after themselves, as well as respect for |
| encourages self discipline and allows the child to | | | | themselves and their elders. |
| develop faster. Children are motivated becasue | | | | Look for a program that truly believes in the |
| learning is it's own reward. In traditional school the | | | | Montessori philosophy. Find a place where they |
| child must sit in assigned seat as they are led | | | | understand that children naturally love to learn and |
| through their lessons. The teacher is the primary | | | | left to explore their environment they will choose |
| enforcer of discipline and the child is motivated by | | | | things that interest them. |
| a reward and punishment system. | | | | |