A Letter from the Head of
School

Dear Parents,

Over the last weeks you have had the opportunity to meet with your classroom directresses and discuss your child's growth this year. Now we would like to invite you to make an appointment for a classroom observation. When you observe, we'll give you some simple instructions beforehand and have you take a designated seat in the classroom. You can spend up to an hour in your observation. Afterwards, I will be happy to have an informal conversation with you about your observation and answer any questions you may have. When you observe, you will get a feel for your child's work as well as the flow of the classroom.

We can not overemphasize the importance of observation in Montessori education. Montessori pedagogy uniquely permits the adult in the classroom to spend a significant amount of time observing the children and indeed encourages it.

When Maria Montessori graduated from medical school in the late 19th century, prejudices against professional women at that time prevented her from starting a traditional medical practice. Instead, she worked at a children's health asylum and undertook research that fed her interests in anthropology and psychology. Unlike other researchers of the day, Montessori followed the precepts of the Scientific Method, which called for careful observation. Montessori undertook extensive observations of children in the asylum and recorded her findings in the best scientific style of the day. She soon realized that traditional methods of education were ineffective for these children, and she began developing what would eventually become the Montessori Method. The bases of her work were the findings that came from her extensive observations.

As Montessori began training other adults in her method of education, she also gave training for how to observe children in a scientific and precise manner. That tradition continues today as Montessori teacher training includes a component on how to observe correctly and effectively to the benefit of the children in the classroom environment.

Observations are important to the Montessori guide because it is our primary assessment instrument. The Montessori directress is able to assess each child's academic progress and performance as well as his or her social and emotional development; interaction with friends, how the child handles challenges (academic or social), progress towards self-control, discipline, and independence. The teacher in a Montessori environment will know your child better than a teacher in a conventional school because we don't have to be lecturing all day and can take the time just to observe the nuances of your child's growth and development.

I hope you'll partake of the opportunity to observe and see the magic of your child in the Montessori environment. Thank you for all you do to make Montessori Children's School an amazing experience for your child.

Thank you,
Peggy Higgins  

Barnes & Noble
Book Fair

 Barnes & Noble

Jacksonville Mall

December 8-9, 5:30-7:30 pm

Wear your pajamas and come & join us!

Please Follow

the link below for more information.