“The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence”.

Maria Montessori

Every January parents of Montessori students have a decision to make. Should we keep our child in the Montessori Classroom for the kindergarten year or send our child to the local public school? This is a hard choice to make on many levels, first of which is financial. Montessori tuition, although higher than public kindergarten, is still a bargain for the price! But for some the cost is still an issue, that is why most Montessori schools offer tuition assistance in one form or another, to help parents who are committed to the philosophy for their child. Montessori education teaches to the whole child. Each area of child development is important to examine as parents make this complicated decision.

Academic/Cognitive Development-It is widely known that the materials and lessons in the classroom far exceed the typical kindergarten curriculum. The recent focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is a good example of this. Lessons such as the series of simple machines, and golden bead materials, which teach the decimal system, have been used in the Montessori environment for years.

Social/Emotional Development-The 3-6 mixed-age classroom experience benefits students of each age group. Three year olds observe four and five year old students and learn from them daily. Four year olds (who are very social) admire the older students and are motivated to do the “big work”. Five year olds, the oldest, are the role models and set the tone for a respectful and peaceful atmosphere. They glow in the limelight of being the “seniors” in school, and are proud to help the younger children. This reinforces their own learning, internalizing of concepts, and self esteem.

Gross and Fine Motor Development- There are many opportunities that promote both gross and fine motor growth in Montessori schools. Carrying heavy objects such as the cylinder blocks develop arm strength. (In a world where most children’s toys are made of plastic, this is very important). Lessons such as the metal insets and geography maps reinforce the pincer grip used in proper finger placement in handwriting progress.

These are just a few examples to consider as you embark on the difficult decision to move your child out of the Montessori education, or have him/her continue in this unique learning environment.