Montessori at the Peterson School

Montessori for your child

Are you looking for a kindergarten for your child?

How about a Montessori school?

        

       

Research shows that the first six years are the most important in children’s development. During these years they establish the bases of their personality. After very careful study, the Peterson Schools selected the Montessori Method in English as the best system for Preschool.

The Montessori Method is specially designed to carefully lead each child individually through every stage of development at this crucial age. Children at this age see the world as overwhelmingly large and very confusing. The Montessori Method uses creativity, problem solving, critical thought and time management to help children give order and structure to the world around them and gives them the confidence and bases for their future development.

In the Montessori classroom interactive learning is developed in a carefully prepared environment prepared by specially trained guides using sophisticated materials.

In the Montessori classroom, preschool children of varying ages are grouped together. There each child chooses his/her activity relative to his/her individual learning plan under the careful guidance of a Guide.

Each new activity is based on previous activities to help the children develop their understanding and mastery. To get the maximum benefit from the Montessori program, children should begin to study at three years of age. At this age, they have a strong desire to learn and this learning will help create order in their minds.

Children in the Montessori program develop practical and individual abilities through discovery, exploration and the use of Practical Life, Sensory, Mathematical and Language materials.

	Practical Life The exercises are designed to teach children to act in their own environment and respect the things around them. They learn there is a correct way to do things. These activities help children feel secure and help them make their first steps towards independence.
	Sensory Sensory exercises are related to development, the careful handling of materials and to refining children’s five senses. Children develop each sense separately and, later, in combination with other senses. These materials are indirect preparation for mathematics and language.
	Language Language material helps children communicate and establish social relationships. It develops oral communication and prepares them for the reading-writing process. Language development is the means by which children make themselves known and understood.
	Mathematics Sensory training is important in learning the basics of mathematics. Children in Montessori preschool use 20 special materials designed to help them easily and confidently enter the world of mathematics. Three-year-old children have logical minds and are interested in sequence and order. The idea of quantity is inherent in all of the materials used. The idea of things being the same or different begins with the recognition of identical objects and degrees of similarity. Repeated use of these materials helps children learn and construct a solid base for more advanced mathematics. Mathematical language helps children understand the laws of nature. The material begins with the basic mathematical elements and gradually increases in complexity. Children begin with concrete experiences and advance to abstract concepts.

Preschool children complement their experiences in the classroom with a carefully designed physical education program to develop their coordination, their confidence and their love of physical activity.

In the Montessori classroom, a child’s choice of investigation is respected and he/she given ample time to concentrate on it, undisturbed by children working nearby.

The Montessori classroom resembles an office where each child is intensely focused on his/her own work. The children can move about freely.

The combination of freedom and structure is a basic element of mutual respect. The children learn these values because they live them.

In the Montessori classroom, a child understands that his/her work is important and, consequently, he/she is important. Their learning becomes a dynamic process that consolidates all aspects of their personality.

In order to consolidate English a first language, Preschool classes are conducted in that language. In addition, children have daily 30-minute classes of intensive English to reinforce their learning of the language.

The Montessori Method is the fastest-growing kindergarten learning system in the world. It has been a key element of instruction at the Peterson Schools since its inception more than 40 years ago and a major reason the Peterson Schools is one of the best schools of its type in Mexico.