Montessori gets top marks

Squeak started back to school last week, Montessori school. She is in her third year of CASA  which would be the equivalent of SK. Squeak started Montessori when she was three-years old, attending half days for two years and now she is full day and she has to wear a uniform. It is very exciting for her, because she takes her role very serious. Of course sometimes I find it hard to take her so seriously because she still very small and her lunch bag is half the size of her.
 
I am so glad I made the choice to put her in Montessori School. The school is such a beautiful place, surrounded by nature. The school culture is much like a family and Squeak loves it. She feels confident, and has a sense of responsibility. Now that she is in third year, she has to be a role model and help teach the younger children in her class.

I really like that aspect of Montessori – the younger children learn from the older ones. Looking back, the older children helped her overcome her shyness during her transition into Montessori School.
 
The curriculum of the classroom is very different, children work on tools individually and each tool has a purpose and a place. The children have respect for their room and look after it. I love the fact that the children learn at their own pace. I remember in first year when I went to a Mother’s Day Tea and the younger children were excited to show their Mothers how they polish their shoes. When I saw those happy, confident children, I knew I made the right choice. Here is a link to a video of atypical Montessori classroom.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Y-huCMjIc

If you are thinking about sending your child to Montessori School, please check out this website:
http://www.ccma.ca/

Shari Nelson is an advertising sales rep at City Parent and a contributor to the magazine's social media, including Facebook and Twitter. She has a background in Early Child Care Education, a 4-year-old daughter, a 9-year-old dog and a very handy, talented husband.