Montessori Education

Parent Guides

12 Points of the Montessori Method

Montessori FAQ

Creating a "Montessori" Home Environment

Is My Child Ready for School?

Why Montessori Elementary?

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Association Montessori Internationale

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Is My Child Ready for School?

If you are curious about Montessori and want to learn how our program can benefit your child, call for an appointment to tour our school.

How can I tell if my child is really ready for school?

There are no hard and fast rules.  As a guideline it is suggested that you look for some of the following signs of readiness: 

• Have you noticed that your child is ready for some new activities and intellectual stimulation?
• Does he wander away from you in the house to play in other designated play  areas?
• Does he play at a friend's house without you being there?
• Does he comfortably stroll away from you in the yard, park or store?
• Does he move from your side when in the company of other children?
• Does he help to dress himself?
• Does he try to help with the household chores?
• Does he try to release your grip when you're holding hands?
• Does he stay with a sitter without any major problems?

The above skills indicate a child who has confidence in his abilities and who has good feelings of independence in himself and trust in you.  It also is indicative that he has become comfortable in dealing with separations. 

Am I ready to send my child to school?

This is not an easy question to answer.  However, if you have already made some observations, you may realize that your child is ready for more than you are trained to give him.  To this point you have been able to help and guide your child to reach his present accomplishments; now perhaps he is ready to broaden his experiences or be a little more intellectually challenged.

The parent should know that neither the school nor its staff (no matter how well qualified) will ever take the place of the parent in the child's life.  You are the premiere person in the world of this precious little person. 

When you have made the decision whether or not to enroll the child in a school--relax.  The child takes the cue from the parent and any anxiety will quickly be noticed by him. 

What next?

You might wish to visit some preschools.  Speak to people whose chosen profession, training and ability is at the disposal of your child.  Observe a class in progress.

Remember again that you are the best observer of your child.  You know what he needs and what kinds of activities best suit his personality.  Making yourself knowledgeable and addressing the task of school selection honestly will lead to the correct choice for your child.  You will select the most suitable environment and the people who will enhance your child's next experiences. 

Is there a difference between the 2, 3 and 5 day programs?

Yes.  In our experience, attending all five days brings consistency and stability to the child's life.  When he wakes up in the morning, he knows exactly what the agenda for the day will be.  The more frequently he goes, the better able he will be to see the continuity of the program, and he will settle into the routine faster.  He will also have the advantage of having more new materials presented to him, instead of going over what he may have forgotten in the Thursday to Tuesday hiatus.

How can I prepare him ahead of time?

When you have found the situation where you think your child will be respected and nurtured, then think positively about sending him there.  Let your attitude and conversation reflect this frame of mind.

When speaking to the child about his new school, give factual information about what he might expect.

At Campbell Montessori School we invite the child to the school ahead of time so that he can see the reality of his new environment and, when possible, meet his teacher. After that, let the child's questions be your guide to what or how much discussion needs to take place.

Some other ways in which he might be prepared are a little more indirect:

• Let him experience different things.  Take him shopping, to the zoo, museums, parks, and fairs.
• Give him the opportunity to meet new people of different ages as well as his own. 
• Let him have time to play with the baby sitter.
• Trade afternoons with a friend who has a child around the same age, so he can get used to being with someone else.
• When at a place like the park, give him more freedom.
• Let him help with chores around the house.  No matter how he does them, it's the participation and pride of accomplishment that is important.

Will I be able to walk with him into the classroom?

In our experience it is better for both child and parent if a gentle but firm good-bye is said at the door and the child is introduced to his classroom by his teacher.  However, to facilitate the adjustment of an anxious child we will allow one parent into the classroom during the first few days of school.  The parent knows the comfort level of his or her own child best and can communicate this to the teacher ahead of time and this concern will be respected.

Will he cry anyway?

One of the reasons children cry is due to a fear of the unknown and the new people with whom he is meeting.  New situations, as well as not knowing what to expect, are often expressed by tears in toddlers who lack the vocabulary to tell us what they are feeling.  Of course the child may be a little afraid of a new place -- who isn't?  After a short while, usually as soon as the activities begin, he stops crying and is ready to join in.  He may also cry when it's time to pick him up from school, but this too disappears after he learns to trust his teachers and he slips into the routine of going to school. 

Will he be more prone to colds and illnesses?

Very possibly.  A young child lacks the immunities needed to ward off infections.  Unfortunately, the only way to develop some of the immunities is to be exposed to these infections.  This is especially true if he is a child who has no siblings to expose him to these infections. 

What about potty training?

For the child's self-image and as a mark of independence, it is very desirable that he be toilet trained before entering school.  Since this matter is such an individual one, questions on this subject should be discussed with the director.

What can we do at home to enhance the child's experience at school?

Become totally informed about the program he is about to start and the environment he is about to enter.  The more compatible home and school life are, the more comfortable and happy the child will feel and the more successful will be all his undertakings.

At Campbell Montessori School we have a parent library.  Here are books which provide assistance in parent skills, as well as information about the Montessori approach to child development.

We also offer parent information nights and parent-teacher conferences in October and in March.

We hope that your child's first school experience is comfortable and positive for both you and your child.  Our staff is more than willing to help in any way we can -- don't hesitate to ask.