Page 11 - parent handbook 2024-25 FINAL FLIP

Will My Child Thrive in Montessori?
Each Individual Child has their own unique personality as well as physical and emotional needs. In a Montessori classroom, the needs of each child are embraced and nurtured, allowing the child to flourish socially, emotionally and academically. The benefits of a Montessori education have been scientifically studied and time-tested.
Montessori programs are especially good for children who are self-directed, can work independently for extended lengths of time, and work well alone or in small groups. Also, these programs tend to be ideal for children easily overwhelmed by noise, chaos, and disorder. The focus on individual learning allows students to work at their own pace and can also provide a healthy environment for some special needs children.
The Montessori approach emphasizes process rather than the end result, and encourages decision-making and independence. This would suit children that need individualized learning especially for a child who does not like to compete with others, who may be feeling anxious about performance, have delays in certain areas and strengths in the others, or a child that needs a slower pace to learn.”
When Montessori Is Not the Right Environment Although we are firm believers that Montessori is right for every child, not each Montessori classroom is set up to meet the needs of every child. Montessori could be challenging and frustrating for children who are not flexible, who do not follow instructions, who like to switch activities too frequently.
Some children have a great need to be outside and run, play, climb and dig. While some Montessori environments have a more “farm” like arrangement, others in urban or suburban areas do not have the land to enable a child to spend hours running, climbing, digging and spending other purposeful activities out of doors. Children with excessive energy or behavioral challenges would benefit from such a Montessori school.
As with any environment, children that have physically hurtful or destructive behaviors may require a smaller student/teacher ratio where the teacher can be more readily at hand to manage such behaviors or outbursts.
Likewise, some children with behavioral or learning differences that require more one-on-one attention, require a smaller class size, or require a teacher specially trained in those areas may need an environment different than the one offered here at Alden.
We are here to help find the best environment to enable that child to thrive.