Celebrating and nurturing each child’s intrinsic desire to learn

This past weekend we came together at The Westmont Montessori School to learn about what makes the “K” year particularly impactful in the Montessori classroom. Our Head of School, Colette Cross, our teachers, and our Curriculum Coordinator shared some of the milestones of the K year.  

Five and six-year olds are going through a period of tremendous brain development--a period when they are developing and honing their reasoning skills. Affording them this year of continued discovery where they have ample opportunity to problem solve as they move from the concrete learning materials to more abstract thinking helps them to really crystallize so many concepts that they have been exposed to in the Early Childhood classroom.

In addition to the academic progress that occurs in the K year, children benefit from continued physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. During this “pivotal” year, Kindergarteners take on a real leadership role in the classroom and even the school, serving as role models and helping younger friends in their classroom community.

To learn more about what makes Montessori education the most widely used pedagogy in the world, read more about the Montessori approach. Or just ask one of our Kindergarten alumni!

What’s in a Montessori Education… a testimonial from a young Alumnus

One of the greatest advantages of the Montessori method, particularly during the early learning years, is the focus on hands-on learning. The emphasis is on concrete, rather than abstract learning, as students work on activities that teach language, math, culture and practical life lessons.  One young Alumni (hint—she is now working at Westmont as an assistant teacher!) tells her story of her early childhood education… can you recognize her?

Read more about what this young teacher remembers from her Westmont experience.

And for more details about the benefits of a Montessori Early Childhood Education, refer to this article from education.com which shares some key findings from the research conducted by Dr. Angeline Lillard, a professor of psychology from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. Dr. Lillard examined the abilities of children who have been taught in a Montessori school.

Nurturing a love of reading

What makes for a great children's book and what are some of your favorite reads with your child? Let's start an ever-evolving, Montessori-inspired book list and let's talk about why Dr. Maria Montessori herself would have approved. Here is one that was written back when she would have had the opportunity to read it herself!

Pelle's New Suit by Elsa Beskow (1930): Pelle has a lamb whose coat grows longer and longer, while Pelle's wool suit grows shorter! Pelle shears the lamb, and the wool is carded, spun, dyed and woven with the help of family and neighbors. Finally, the tailor makes a new suit for Pelle.

Children (2.5- 6yrs) relish this story of a resourceful young Swedish boy as he trades real work to achieve a desired goal. It is fun to see some Montessori Practical Life activities on Pelle's journey!

Some other wonderful selections include anything by Ezra Jack Keats, Elisa Kleven, and Eric Carle. Tell us some of your children's favorites and let's read together!

Welcome to November!

In the early 1960’s, a group of Mendham parents got together and formed what is now our beautiful, thriving school. Hand-in-hand, over the decades, Westmont has built an impressive history in Montessori education and in this community.  This month brings with it an exciting time of renewal for Westmont—it’s our re-accreditation month.

Next week, Westmont is hosting the visiting team for our American Montessori Society and Middles States Association dual re-accreditation. Becoming accredited by the American Montessori Society is a massive undertaking for any school, as it requires hundreds of hours of reflection, preparation, and planning.  The culminating part of our re-accreditation process with both AMS and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is when this visiting team of teaching and administrative professionals comes to the school to meet with teachers, administrators, board members, and parents. They also observe in all classrooms and ensure that educational, safety, organizational, and financial requirements are met.   

The Westmont Montessori School values progress and sees the benefit of self-reflection and goal making to continue to adapt to the changing world and meet the needs of all of our children.  Parents can know with confidence that we offer a quality, authentic Montessori program, in a safe and nurturing school where the teachers are all certified.

If you have an observation you would like to share about our school, share it right here on our blog. Here is one to get you started:

"Westmont has the ability to cultivate a nurturing environment that allows for a student's intellectual growth, while also maintaining a high level of professionalism. While Westmont's focus is on the child (as it should be!), the school is also able to create a family experience and strong community” –Westmont alumni parent