MONTESSORI PRESCHOOLS
Attending a Montessori Pre-School is a preferred quality for children joining the primary class. However a child without such experience may be admitted. Pre-schools prepare children for primary by teaching them to work independently and by encouraging them to care for the classroom environment. At Montessori pre-schools children gain sensorial experience with Montessori materials and overall are familiar with the Montessori approach by the time that they start at Montessori @ Howick Primary. Montessori @ Howick Primary maintains contact with the local Montessori pre-schools and, as required, works with them in the transition of a child from pre-school to primary school. Our teachers may also visit the local pre-schools to talk to both pre-school teachers and pre-school parents. Montessori defined the stages of child development (she called them planes of development) from 0 – 6, 6 -12 (and then 12 – 18 and 18 – 24). She based this on scientific studies (still valid today) that a child’s physiological development reaches a new stage at these ages. This is why Montessori primary schools start at age 6. Socially and emotionally, as well as academically, the development of a child between 5 and 6 is significant. Though many parents may feel that their children are “ready” for school, they come to realise that waiting until they are 6 allows the child to take advantage of leadership and other learning opportunities at pre school. Both academically and socially the child makes much progress between age 5 and 6 (including consolidating their early learning by sharing it with other young children) - and they settle better into primary school as a result of this.
