Developing Your Talents

When it comes to choosing a day care center, parents are faced with a host of options. One of those options is the Montessori philosophy, which can be wonderful for many children. However, to make sure it's the right fit for your child, there are some things you may want to take into consideration. Use the following to help guide you in the decision-making process to help ensure your child gets the best day care program for his or her needs.

Structured Versus Unstructured Learning

Some children need a lot of structure throughout the day to stay calm and focused, while others tend to do well when given the freedom to choose their own activities. Montessori day care centers tend to cater to kids who do well with unstructured learning. These centers typically make a variety of learning stations and activities available, and the children are then allowed to choose the options they like best. Each activity has an educational component while still focusing on the fun aspect of play, so you won't see rigid table or desk learning setups. However, if you are planning to send your child to a public school, you may find that there can be a difficult transition from the freedom of Montessori to the strict scheduling of a traditional school day.

Inner Discipline

One aspect of any day care program you want to investigate is the discipline and behavior management program. Some schools use positive reinforcement, such as stickers or candy, while others focus on time-outs for a negative consequence. Montessori schools focus instead on inner discipline. They tend not to give rewards or punishments, instead focusing on redirecting or having a conversation about negative behaviors. This can help your child become more disciplined, but you will need to commit to this same philosophy at home for consistency. You'll need to be on board with the day care center's philosophy and ready to do the work to prevent your toddler from receiving mixed messages.

Social Skills

Sometimes, social skills are overlooked when day care centers create their educational plans. The Montessori philosophy addresses social skills and can even help your child learn how to socialize appropriately. Teachers are required to model kind, appropriate behavior in all situations for the children to model, and they are taught how to play with their peers through positive interactions. If your child is struggling to pick up on social queues or is having a hard time making friends, a Montessori day care may be the right option for him or her.