The three-year cycles in a Montessori environment are intentional, and there are some great reasons to give your child the gift of that third year. There are a plethora of reasons families choose to send their children to Montessori schools. Today we share some of the reasons we think children do best when they have the opportunity to complete their three year cycle.
Mastery of Skills
The third year in a classroom is a chance for students to really shine academically. Everything they have been working on comes full circle and their understanding of concepts solidifies in a way it couldn’t have until now.
Much of what is presented in the first two years is indirect and direct preparation for the lessons our third years receive and the materials they work with.
Not only are our children in the final year of their cycle understanding concepts in new ways, but they can actually demonstrate this knowledge. Educators from all backgrounds will agree that when a person is able to teach someone a skill, they have themselves demonstrated mastery of the skill. Our classrooms are designed so that older students help to teach younger ones. This teaching serves multiple purposes, one of which is to demonstrate their own understanding.
One of the many benefits of the multi-age classroom, the older students really enjoy taking on the role of giving lessons to their younger peers.
Opportunities for Leadership
Teaching lessons to younger children isn’t just about academic mastery; it’s also a chance for kids to experience leadership.
We believe that solid leadership isn’t really about power. It’s about allowing those with experience to take on a role of guiding others with less experience. So much of this type of leadership is done by modeling, and our older students serve as the very best models for our younger students.
When your child first entered the classroom, they went through a period in which they needed to figure out expectations, routines, and so much more. Children need to learn how to be independent, how to interact with one another and adults, how to care for the environment, and so on. As adults who guide the children, we model and verbalize what children need to learn, but we are wise enough to recognize that they learn more from watching their peers.
Older children relish in this opportunity. It feels good to know that you are helping someone else. It feels good to acknowledge how far you have come, and how you are now able to guide others along their own path. Our third years know about this role because we discuss it with them often. By the time they step into it, they are more than prepared.
Continued Respect for Individuality
You already know that Montessori schools respect each child’s individual path, and that we believe even young people deserve to be treated with dignity. There are many ways in which we differ from conventional institutions, but some that we think are important to highlight are:
- Allowing the child to use the restroom when they need to, without having to ask permission from an adult
- Encouraging children to eat a snack when they are hungry and drink when they feel thirsty
- Creating a structure that allows children to take breaks when they need to, and to focus deeply on their work for long periods of time without being interrupted
- Giving children academic choice within limits (they may be required to complete certain tasks, but it’s okay if they choose the order in which the tasks are done)
- Creating flexible seating choices so that children have options to sit alone or with friends, in a chair or on the floor
Advanced Academic Expectations
Parents in our community often recognize that our curriculum tends to exceed the scope of what is taught elsewhere. We do not push children to learn what is beyond their capabilities, we just know that children are capable of more than most people realize. When given the opportunity, they can amaze us all.We honor the fact that every single child develops at their own rate, and there is no set time for various skills to be mastered.
Deep-Dives Into Areas of Personal Interest
One of the best parts of being in a Montessori classroom is being allowed the time to explore one’s own interests. Because of the flexible nature of the day, children can practice various skills while learning about what creates a spark for them.
Are they into dinosaurs? We provide books, paper, and art supplies for them to write about and draw diagrams of these ancient creatures.
Are they proud of their family’s culture and heritage? We make space for children and families to give presentations and share their traditions.
Do they dream about being a vet as an adult? Older children may be given more responsibilities to care for class pets, and they often find creative ways to connect the zoology curriculum to the animals they know and love in real life.
In a Montessori classroom, the possibilities really are endless. The experience is unlike anything that can be found in other educational settings, and each year we can give our children a Montessori education is a gift.