Our life is full of changes. We can’t be certain of one thing. There are times when we can’t preserve the status quo as everyone’s life involve changes.
Change is difficult but nevertheless it’s a good thing. Though it’s hard to transition ourselves with the changing environment, at the same time we understand that educating our children to adjust to change without excessive fear and agitation is of utmost importance regardless of their schooling method. But here is where the Montessori methods prove to be a benefactor for the Montessori students.
The Montessori Methods endeavor to develop confidence, resistance, independence, and problem solving skills in an ever-changing environment. As a consequence, Montessori students can adapt to changes more efficiently than the non- Montessori students.
Parents worry that their children will struggle to adapt in a Montessori environment. So here is where the basic question arises-
How to Help Your Child Transition into a Montessori School?
If you’re planning to switch your child from a traditional learning environment to a Montessori one, you will need to help him/her through the transition. Here, Central Montessori school provides you with some some of the basics to be kept in mind while helping your through a transition.
SEEK GUIDANCE
Initially you need to seek guidance from the school’s staff. They have often nurtured children who went through transitions and have guided them to slowly move into the Montessori lifestyle.
LET THEM BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW ENVIRONMENT
Further it’s quintessential for your child to become familiar with the school and it’s environment. For this, you can take them on a tour to the school premises and meet with the teachers. You can even show them other children learning with fun and at. When your child is comfortable in their new environment, they are more apt to learn and seek knowledge in their new classroom.
FOLLOW THE ROUTINES AT HOME
Promote more independence in your child’s tasks and self-care routines at home to make him or her familiar with the routine to be followed at Montessori school. The more independence you promote at home, the better they will perform in the Montessori environment.
RECHARGE THEIR BATTERIES
Younger children get tired quickly in a Montessori school setting than in traditional one. So make sure your child gets proper sleep at night along with a hearty breakfast in the morning when they’re ready for the school. Thus when they’re well rested, patient and ready to learn, they can get the most out of their new education system.
BELIEVE IN THE MONTESSORI METHOD YOURSELF
Some people consider that the Montessori Method involves a lot of free choice and thus the freedom to learn at their own will makes the Montessori students fall behind academically. But these fears have been unfounded by the new research that prove that the children who attend Montessori schools may have a dominance academically over other children who attend the traditional schools. Therefore Montessori students perform better even in the tests than students in traditional schools.
REMEMBER THAT THE MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT FOSTERS SOCIAL SKILLS
Children in Montessori classrooms have learnt principles such as courtesy, respect, conflict resolution, supporting others, positive outlook etc. These skills assist them when they need to adjust in new schools and meet new people. Montessori education also stimulates social skills including basic manners, etiquettes, problem solving, working in groups, emotional control, patience etc which are taught as deliberately as reading or math.
Thus the Montessori environment fosters social skills in Montessori students surpassing the social skills seen in other types of schools.
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
Finally but importantly, Parents mustn’t forget to become a good role model for their children. They must model a positive attitude about transitions they face in life.
When we go through undesired changes in life, we easily get distracted by the discomfort that follows changes. And thus we forget to set a good example for our children.
Parents are the ultimate teachers for children. They are constantly learning from them even when it comes to handling changes. Therefore, we must strive to see change as a challenge and not something to be afraid of.
