2017 South Coast Montessori, SBI Insert

At South Coast Montessori, we believe in fostering the child’s love of learning.

Enrolling children ages 3 months to 6 years PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Montessori chose my family and here are 5 reasons why I am thankful it did:

4. MONTESSORI ABSTAINS FROM REWARDS.

1. IT FOSTERS INDEPENDENCE.

One of the defects of our education system which has, in

Everything

about

a

Montessori

classroom

fosters

independence. You first start with the classroom that is prepared to allow the child to do for themselves what an adult would often do for a child. Enter a toddler room and you will watch a two year old sweeping the floor with a childsized broom, washing the dishes at a sink just their height

5 reasons why I ‘chose’ Montessori, a Father’s confession…

I have a confession to make. When it came time to choose

or folding washcloths that are the right size for their hands.

The pride you see in these children who are able to “do it themselves” is incredible. A Montessori classroom provides a prepared environment where children are able to develop independence.

a preschool for my first daughter, one of the first serious decisions a working parent makes, I choked. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t put the effort in. No research, no tours,

2. MONTESSORI FACILITATES A NATURAL LOVE FOR LEARNING.

nada. An old friend had gone to a Montessori school and he

At the heart of Montessori methods is the idea that a young

came out OK and there was one close by. That was good

child, left to their own devices, will seek to learn and has

enough for me. Done and done.

an inherent desire for knowledge. The Montessori materials

To say I got lucky would be a massive understatement.

My now 10 year old has absolutely thrived in a Montessori environment and is already a better person than I could ever hope to be. My 2 year old is, very loudly, following in her

naturally bring about the inquisitive nature of the child and open up the child to learn for themselves. They teach them how to discover rather than giving a step-by-step direction.

sister’s footsteps.

3. MONTESSORI FOCUSES ON THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD AND THEIR POTENTIAL.

I think you really have to see the Montessori method in

One of the best benefits of Montessori is that it’s completely

action to appreciate it. There are so many facets and real-

individualized. Each child learns each subject at their own

life benefits. However, over the years as I’ve shared my

pace, on their own terms, with guidance from the teacher.

thoughts with countless friends, associates and even a few

I never have to worry that my child is bored or frustrated

strangers I have come up with a simple list.

to tears. She’s getting what she needs, when she needs it.

Open House November 18 • 9am – 11am

Children are born with 100 billion neurons, just waiting for stimulation, waiting for experiences and waiting to connect.

Come see for yourself how our programs are designed to promote that connection in children ages 3 months through 6 years in inspiring and nurturing environments.

7421 Mirano Drive, Goleta For more information please contact us: PH: (805) 845-6555 or E: office@southcoastmontessori.org www.southcoastmontessori.org PAID ADVERTISEMENT

There are no gold stars in a Montessori environment. No grades in the traditional sense.

turn, affected our society is the idea we need to have a reward for every accomplishment.

I know how easy it is to just say to your child, “Clean up your room if you want dessert tonight”. But trust me when I tell you that if you are able to find a way to get your child to appreciate intrinsically how satisfying it is to have a clean room, you will have won the war without a shot being fired.

The Montessori method focuses on and creates intrinsic motivations for behavior. You have to see it to believe it, but it does.

5. GRACE AND COURTESY. Montessori seeks to educate the whole child. Maria Montessori believed that children are a hope and promise for civilization. Grace and courtesy lessons are the foundation for this promise. Although children may encounter a lack of grace and courtesy in everyday life, in the Montessori classroom, the lessons they receive will help them be kind and compassionate members of society.

Picking a preschool, school or method of education is one of the most important duties of a parent. My advice to other parents is to focus on the big picture. Make a choice that will not just prepare your child for the next grade level, but will also prepare them to be a global citizen. Don’t leave it to a stroke of luck like I did. Do a little research, take a tour of a Montessori school and see for yourself.

Montessori vs. Traditional

An Educational Comparison

MONTESSORI

TRADITIONAL

Child centered

Teacher centered

Self-paced learning

Single curriculum for whole class

Multi aged classrooms

Same aged classrooms

Child follows interests

Work chosen for child

Ability to move freely about the classroom

Required to sit at desks

Learning based on physical exploration and discovery

Learning predetermined subjects from whiteboards and worksheets

Calm, orderly, inviting environments

Cluttered and hectic classrooms

Play and work are matched to the social development of the child

Play and learning are driven by the curriculum

Respect for the child and their growth as an individual is honored

Evaluation of child based on their peers and predetermined standards

Motivation derived from within the child through the joy of learning and discovery

Motivation attempted through rewards and punishments

More about Montessori schooling from a gifted Guide Leah Sahagun is South Coast Montessori’s Primary

remind me of one of my favorite quotes by Maria

Classroom Directress. As a Monetessori student

Montessori: "The greatest sign of success for a

herself until middle school she harbored a childhood

teacher... is to be able to say, 'The children are now

dream of becoming a Montessori teacher one day.

working as if I did not exist.’”

A post college stint as an assistant at a Montessori school in Seattle cemented the dream. She received her Masters in Education and her AMI Primary Montessori certification in Maryland in 2001.

Leah graciously agreed to answer some of the common questions we hear from new families

Sometimes I hear that Montessori is too strict or regimented, and other times I hear it is too unstructured and lax, which is it?

It’s both and it’s neither. Montessori follows each child individually. My responsibility is to tend to their emotional and academic state each day, exactly where they are right then, as they enter the

What makes the Montessori approach great?

classroom.

This approach naturally provides the opportunity for

An example of this “debate” is that the children are

the children to create a true community, built upon kindness and respect, where the love of learning and individual growth flourish.

My responsibility is to tend to their emotional and academic state each day, exactly where they are right then, as they enter the classroom.

able to choose their own activities throughout the day instead of teacher led group learning, which can seem to some as too flexible. However, they are able choose their own activity only once they have had a lesson from me on that material, which can be judged as too rigid by some. My advice to those who perceive Montessori pedagogy as one of the two extremes is to come observe an AMI Primary classroom, like ours. Their opinions will be forever changed.

my career I get tears in my eyes. They have just opened up their world to reading and writing that, in their Montessori classroom, has no bounds.

What is a typical day in the classroom?

The school day is 8:30am to 3:00pm with a three hour work period in the morning followed by lunch and playtime. In the afternoon the younger children nap and the older children continue their day in the classroom with me. That period of time usually consists of reading a chapter book with them, group

What is the funniest thing a child has said to you lately?

lessons and more focused individual activities.

Can you describe one of your favorite activities in a Montessori classroom?

When a child independently writes and then reads

A few weeks ago a five year old boy came up to me

What is the best part of your day?

their first word. I just had a 3 year 10 month old child

There are these moments during the morning

last week write the word “sun” with the movable

when the children are engaged with the materials

alphabet (wooden cut out letters) and then proclaim “this says sun!” Every time this has happened in

and with each other in such harmony and with so much happiness. Those periods of time always

with a very serious look on his face and said, “Leah, I have made a decision. It’s kind of crazy but I’m not scared. I’m strong enough now to face a king lion.

Don’t worry about me, I’m a boss and tougher than a king lion and I know all about them. All I need to hear is a little bit of music and I will be ready. But first I need to find a king lion”.

Visit us at our OPEN HOUSE november 18th 9-11am PAID ADVERTISEMENT

PARENT TESTIMONIALS

THE LONG FAMILY “I have two boys here - 3 and 5. The teachers are loving and compassionate and are truly invested in making my boys better people.

At South Coast Montessori, the methodology with the primary and toddler aged kids is very play-based, which I love. My boys are able to follow what interests them on that day - whether it be art, creative play, building a foundation for math skills, reading or socializing with their friends.”

– ARIEL

THE WALTERS FAMILY “We are so glad to have found this school for our daughter! The teachers are great and the environment is wonderful. It gives me great peace in knowing that my daughter is happy each day she is here. Thank you!”

– MARYELLEN

THE WELTON FAMILY “After sending Claire through the primary level and beyond, we were still blown away and cannot recommend this program strongly enough. Thanks to her Montessori background, she truly excels in reading, writing, and mathematics. Equally importantly, she has developed a strong sense of selfworth, focus and persistence in problem solving and a grace and courtesy when dealing with both other children and adults.”

– ANN

DID YOU KNOW? What is AMI?

COME SEE US ON NOV. 18

FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE!

AMI is the Association Montessori International.

The organization founded by Maria Montessori herself to ensure authenticity of the method.

Why does it matter?

Montessori is not a trademarked name so anyone can call themselves a ‘Montessori School’.

A diligent parent should look for AMI trained teachers.

7421 MIRANO DRIVE | 805-845-6555 office@southcoastmontessori.org

THANK YOU TO

What about South Coast Montessori?

SCM has only AMI trained and certified teachers leading their infant, toddler and primary classrooms.

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SOUTHCOASTMONTESSORI.ORG