INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Page 1 Principal’s Words Page 2 End of the Year Show Announcement Page 3 Stats & Results and Continuing Education Page 4-5 Contest Results and Achievements Page 6-13 Classroom Updates Page 14 Spanish Page 15-19 Art Page 20 Drama Page 21 Media & Library Page 22 PE Page 23 Father’s Field Day Page 24 Calendar
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM MILLHOPPER MONTESSORI SCHOOL
MONTESSORI
Monitor
M A Y
2 0 1 6
The Best Age for a Child to Start School and How to Help at Home By MMS Owner and Teacher Ms. Christina Miller At Millhopper Montessori, we have a Beginner’s class. It is a carefully prepared environment that takes into account the developmental needs of children as young as 2 1/2 through age 3. We also have preschool classes with ages 3 to 5. A 3 year old may still be needing a nap or not quite ready to be completely potty-trained or he/she may have passed that stage and be ready for a class requiring more independence. Every child is different and never more so than at age 3. Regardless of a child being potty-trained or not still needing a nap, the mind of a 3 year old is like a sponge and the window of sensitivity for learning is at its height between age 2 1/2 and age 6. Therefore, a school environment, not day care, is highly significant during that period. Many people look at those years as important for skills such as waiting one’s turn or delaying gratification along with learning to say please and thank you and being willing to share. It is not often understood how important these years are for spontaneous learning and for building concentration and independence. It is also easier to learn to read, build the foundation for a mathematical mind and learn a second language without an accent when learned before the age of 6. 2 ½ year olds and 3 year olds learn in unique ways. At this age they have become aware of others and love to imitate. They learn best when an activity or process is demonstrated without words to distract. They prefer individual activities to group lessons and by doing individual activities uninterrupted, they can build concentration far better than most adults would expect of them. Even though individual activities are the most enticing, they also absorb language in a language rich environment with other children. They are in their sensitive period for language and their vocabulary seems to grow exponentially. They also love repetition, “Let’s do it again” they say with delight. Therefore it is a wonderful stage of development to practice until a skill is mastered. The lessons they are most interested in are those that help them to become independent. You have heard many times, “I want to do it myself.” The activities that best satisfy building independence are those that develop fine and gross motor skills and anything with water is a big hit! The home environment can be modified in ways to help develop these empoering life skills as well. As young as age 2 children can sort laundry and help load and unload the washer and dryer. However they are still too young to handle detergent, etc. They can also help dry non-breakable dishes. Children as young as age 2 can learn to measure and stir. Being aware of safety first, young children should have multiple opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills, build confidence and independence, and deepen their concentration.
Dr. Montessori said, “In order to learn, children must first be able to concentrate- But no one can force concentration upon them. They develop concentration by fixing their attention on some task being performed with their hands.”