The Montessori philosophy of education is focused on providing students with an education that helps them have success in life. This is often in stark contrast to the short-term goals in pubic programs that are focused on the next test score. Your child will learn a number of important lessons in the classroom if you choose a Montessori program. Two of the most important lessons your child will learn are that they are capable of finding solutions to problems and that learning is a life-long process.

They are capable of finding solutions to problems

Problem solving, inside and outside of the classroom, is an important part of living a successful life. Students need to learn how to solve problems with concepts they are learning. This includes taking on new tasks that seem challenging, pushing through road blocks when a concept gets difficult, and doing the work to find solutions when they are not immediately available. Students also need to learn how to find solutions to problems between themselves and others. In the Montessori classroom, students are taught to seek solutions on their own before asking the teacher for help. When a student has a question about a concept, he or she is expected to look for the solution independently or with the help of other students. The teacher is there to provide guidance on finding the answers instead of simply providing the answers. The mixed age design of the Montessori classroom provides students with ample opportunities to practice interpersonal problem solving. Issues naturally arise when students work together in small groups. Questions of delegation, responsibility, and appropriate behavior can all arise in group settings. Students in the Montessori classroom learn how to delegate and take responsibility for their tasks and behavior. Learning to solve problems - instead of simply being provided with the solutions – is an important lesson your child will learn in the Montessori classroom.

Learning is a life-long process

In the Montessori classroom your child will also develop a long-term view of learning. The Montessori philosophy of education is designed to help students grow into life-long learners. Self-directed learning is a key element of Montessori education because it helps students develop a sense of responsibility for the things they learn. This can help your student become a proactive learner inside and outside of the classroom.

The Montessori classroom provides the opportunity to learn how to solve various types of problems. These skills will serve your child in a variety of situations throughout life. Your child will also become an active participant in what he or she is learning while in the Montessori classroom. This design will help your child view learning as a life-long process. These are just two of the many important lessons your child will learn in the Montessori classroom. You can schedule a time to observe a class to see for yourself how these lessons and others are communicated to the students.