Why choose the Montessori School of Millburn/Short Hills?
Why should I choose your Montessori school?
There is a great sense of community within our Montessori classroom, where children of differing ages work together in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than competitiveness. There is respect for the environment and for the individuals within it and the joy and enthusiasm in the children as they discover new concepts on their own.
Group activities such as language, mathematics, art exploration, music and movement exercise, conversation and outdoor recreation arise spontaneously and children take to it naturally. Here at Montessori, we respect the child’s individuality, their personal growth, social development, and the reliance on each other through the day rather than only at specific times.
Our staff is our greatest asset for providing the children with continual positive feedback and positive discipline as well as establishing a trusting, warm and nurturing environment where each child feels special.
How is the classroom arranged?
The need for order in the environment of the young developing child is emphasized. As Maria Montessori stated,” a place for everything and everything in its place” is how the classroom is arranged. The child relies upon the security of knowing that a piece of work will always be found in a designated area. The prepared environment has nothing that is superfluous to the child’s needs. Everything is chosen specifically for the child’s stage of development and each piece of apparatus serves a specific purpose. It is an environment in which the child functions freely, fulfilling his inner needs.
Work and play at this age often is the same thing to the young child. The children show great interest, enthusiasm and actual pleasure in their work. The work itself provides stimulus for a sense of achievement. The children are allowed to work at their own rate of speed, completing the “cycle of activities” necessary for their growth.
What are practical life activities?
The “Practical Life Activities” are the first activities the child is introduced to in the Montessori environment since they can immediately satisfy the child’s inner desire for skills and self-sufficiency. Beginning at the age of 2, children greatly benefit from an environment that has order and consistency. This begins upon their daily arrival at school with a routine schedule of free choice of activity in the morning, circle time, group time, and snack, designated days for special activities, outdoor play, and a dismissal story. The environment is a “prepared environment” since it is specifically prepared to meet all the child’s stages of developmental needs. The manipulative are specially selected and each introduced precisely when the child is ready. It is conducted on an individual level.
Through introduction, reinforcement, and repetition, each child masters the apparatus at their own pace. Children will gradually begin to develop a lengthier attention span and an increased concentration level by working towards mastery with their apparatus of choice. Each practical activity is easily accessible by the child without the assistance of a teacher. All materials are kept in designated color coded sections in order for the child to responsibly put away work. This is a primary step toward self-sufficiency and independence.
The child gains experience through sensory exercise, in eye-hand coordination, small / large muscle control, left to right correspondence, and dexterity which is needed for later reading and writing.
Practical Life Activities fall into three categories:
1. Manipulative Skills; A child begins pouring, carrying containers/books, and sorting. .
2. Self-Development Skills. A child learns social graces, courtesy, and personal care.
3. Care for the Environment. Children learn to care for the environment by sweeping, washing, dusting, and polishing.
What other areas are emphasized in a Montessori classroom?
The children have ample time discovering and learning about astronomy, botany, meteorology, animal habitats, cultural studies, geography, art appreciation, music appreciation, earth science, physical education and moral development.
Group and individual discussion take place during circle-time activities as well as in the classroom. Literature, cooking, art expression, group skits, plays and class trips are some of the ways the children participate in learning about their world.
How are the children assessed?
Assessment of each child is a continuous daily process. Because of our low teacher child ratios and differentiated instruction, we can continually evaluate a child’s process and move each child to higher levels of cognitive work.
Students also receive progress reports in November, February and June. These progress reports assess the development of your child in areas of practical life, sensorial activities, language, math, social/emotional development and fine/gross motor skills. We have 2 formal parent teacher conferences during the year as well as private conferences with parents.
What is the student ratio?
The 2 1/2 year old program is comprised of 1 teacher to 8 children. In the 3 year old classroom there are a maximum of 24 children and 3 head teachers. We have 3 head teachers in the preschool program with a maximum of 24 children. Lastly, our kindergarten contains an average of 12 children. The low teacher to child ratio allows for additional individualized programming and assessments.
How diverse is the student body?
We are a culturally diverse institution where our Montessori families come from Maplewood-South Orange area, Millburn-Short Hills, Springfield, Livingston, Chatham, Summit, and various surrounding towns in Essex, Morris and Union counties. At Montessori we celebrate similarities and differences in the school community and allow the child to experience information and tradition during special holiday celebrations. Parents enjoy coming into the classrooms and sharing information and traditions with the children by the use of ethnic foods, art, literature, customary dress and music.
How will my child adjust to a traditional classroom when they leave Montessori?
The children that attend the Montessori School of Millburn are well prepared for later life academically, socially and emotionally. They are critical thinkers, can follow direction, listening attentively, show responsibility and have an exuberant amount of enthusiasm for learning and adapting to new situations.
Because of the early presentations of materials and mastering concepts in a proficient manner, they quickly are advanced into the next developmental stage and further challenged with visually interesting apparatus.
The child is more independent than his non-Montessori peers and able to do well on their own. Our students have attended all of the local public and private schools in our areas as well and boarding schools nationally and internationally.
Do you have a summer program?
Yes, our summer program begins the second week of June to the second week in August. Parents may choose a half-day program or full-day program. Information is available in February.
Do you have extended school hours for working parents?
Yes, we have an early drop off program and after school enrichment program. The early morning program is available daily from 7:30 AM to 8: 45 AM. Our after school program is from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM.
How can I visit the school?
You may schedule a private tour of our facility by contacting Brenda Meehan or Sarah Colucci at 973-379-4710. Please also check our website for upcoming open house dates.
For
questions, comments or information:
Email: info@montessoriofmillburnsh.com