casa dei bambini

Yesterday we visited Weredesh's new preschool. We loved it! It's a Montessori school and if you're not familiar with the Montessori philosophy, I found this summary online which I think explains it perfectly:

The Montessori Method is a way about thinking about who children are. It is a philosophy that respects the unique individuality of each child. Dr. Montessori believed in the worthiness, value and importance of children. Her method does not compare a child to norms or standards that are measured by traditional educational systems. It is founded on the belief that children should be free to succeed and learn without restriction or criticism.

It is also an approach to education that takes to heart the needs, talents, gifts, and special individuality of each child. It is a process that helps children learn in their own way at their own pace. The main concept of Montessori is to promote the joy of learning. This joy of learning develops a well adjusted person who has a purpose and direction in his or her life. Children, who experience the joy of learning, are happy, confident, fulfilled children. In essence, Montessori helps bring forth the giftedness of each child.

Another important skill it teaches is self-reliance and independence. It helps a child to become independent by teaching him or her life skills, which is called practical life. Montessori children learn to dress themselves, help cook, put their toys and clothes away and take an active part of their household, neighborhood and school.

Montessori works in a methodical way. Each step in the process leads to the next level of learning. When a child plays, he or she is learning concepts for abstract learning. Repetition of activities is an integral part of this learning process.

For young children Montessori is a hands on approach to learning. It encourages children to develop their observation skills by doing many types of activities. These activities include use of the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, small and large motor skill coordination, and concrete knowledge that leads to later abstraction.

Most of all, Montessori wanted to help free a child's mind to be unfettered to learn without any negative input. It is success oriented in that almost everything is self-teaching and self-correcting. The children learn by doing and by experimentation. The environment is specifically prepared for the children to allow them to interact with it freely and unfettered, everything is child sized, and safe for children to touch and use. In fact, Dr. Montessori called her center "The Children's House".

The main goal of Montessori is to provide a stimulating, child oriented environment that children can explore, touch, and learn without fear. An understanding parent or teacher is a large part of this child's world. The end result is to encourage life long learning, the joy of learning, and happiness about one's path and purpose in life.


The school we visited represented all these things, and Weredesh enjoyed herself the second we walked in. There was so much for her to explore, it was VERY clean/everything new (as it is a new school). The director, Myriah Mayer, was SO good with Weredesh and Weredesh actually gave her a hug before we left (which is unusual for her with strangers). It was good to see that she was so comfortable there and I'm excited to give her this opportunity at such a young age. She'll be able to socialize with others in her age group (the oldest child is 2), and learn lifeskills from the others such as using the potty, eating with a spoon, washing hands, putting on shoes, etc. The ratio there is never more than 4:1. She starts on Monday and it's only for 2 weeks until I'm off for summer vacation. She'll then start again in the fall, although I'm thinking about her maybe going a couple of times a week during the summer - that would give mom a bit of a break and keep her connected with her preschool and classmates so that it's not such a tough transition in September. We'll see...