How Does Montessori Preschool Encourage Self-Discipline in Children?

All children want to behave in an acceptable manner, and the Montessori preschool classroom uses that desire to get along as a tool to encourage children to put their best foot forward. Great behavior begins at home, and the prepared environment builds on that to instill a sense of self-esteem and reinforce the desire for self-discipline.

Sleep Considerations

One of the major causes of disruptive or otherwise unwanted behavior patterns is a lack of sufficient sleep. This aspect of learning self-discipline begins at home with a consistent sleep schedule and a healthy breakfast. These two factors have been shown to reduce outbursts, promote retention of information, and manage themselves in a respectable manner.

Empowering Young Minds

Your child’s Montessori preschool relies on the cooperation of the children to maintain order and a peaceful environment. By teaching children that their decisions and actions have repercussions and results, the kids learn to manage their own outbursts, control unwanted urges, and participate as part of the classroom community.

Building Self-Esteem

A lack of self-esteem is a common cause of behavioral issues. Fortunately, Montessori employs a host of learning strategies to help children develop a strong sense of self-worth. The result is that when children feel good about themselves and their abilities they are less likely to be disruptive in the classroom.

Positive Reinforcement

Montessori does not use punishment and reward to teach discipline to children. Instead, good behavior is acknowledged and unwanted behavior is discouraged through communication. The kids learn to be self-disciplined because they prefer to be acknowledged for positive behaviors and the acceptance that type of self-control brings to them.

Role Modeling

Montessori teachers are trained to observe children and provide the kids in their care with a positive role model to fashion their own behavior after. Because children look up to adults as role models, this type of gentle encouragement can be very effective at curbing disruptive actions and promoting the development of empathy and compassion.

Preschool children want to be accepted and included. By giving them the encouragement to be all they can be, the Montessori environment fosters teamwork, self-control, and a willingness to portray themselves as responsible students.

5 Appropriate Music and Movement Activities for Montessori Daycare Children

All children are acquiring fundamental developmental skills in Montessori daycare. Taking part in music and movement activities is one way that these skills are honed. Far from a static opportunity to play, music and movement activities assist childhood development in a wide variety of ways. That these activities are part of a play-based curriculum does not make them less academic, only more effective.

1. Developing Fine Motor Skills

Clapping, stomping their feet, and learning to do things like snap their fingers are appropriate music and movement activities that contribute to building strong fine motor skills in Montessori daycare. In turn, these skills help children learn to manipulate small objects and help them grip a pencil, use scissors, and perform other general classroom activities.

2. The Language of Music

Music is also a wonderful way to introduce daycare children to new languages. Learning to sing songs in English and, for example, French teaches children how words and languages have similar qualities and help them understand the importance of diversity in American culture.

3. Swaying to the Music

Dancing with colored scarves allows children to participate in the music they listen to in a way that fosters engagement and activity. This fosters creative thinking skills and helps children become familiar with the ancient art of expressing themselves through musical performance. 

4. One-Step, Two-Step, 3-Step, 4

Music and movement activities are also a wonderful way to promote physical exercise, building gross motor skills that are useful in walking, running, climbing, and jumping. One way to accomplish this is by learning the basic dance steps of traditional culture. An excellent example of this– and one that promotes using social and academic skills as well– would be to participate in square dancing.

5. Sing-Along Songs

Many children’s songs have positivity built into them. Learning valuable life lessons through song and movement promotes critical thinking skills, communication skills, and helps to instill a sense of self-worth. What at first appears to be children singing along and moving about at will is actually a guided activity that imparts critical developmental skills as the children participate.

Montessori daycare children use play-based activities like song and dance to explore their capabilities and learn new skills. Music, as they say, hath charms to soothe the savage breast, and employing music as part of the educational process helps maintain an orderly classroom without losing sight of the fundamental goals of the daycare environment.

4 Ways That Montessori’s Theory on Sleep Affects Montessori Elementary School

The effectiveness of a Montessori elementary school relies on children getting a sufficient amount of rest, This can be accomplished by establishing a consistent sleep routine at home, followed by a healthy, energizing morning meal. The benefits can be profound and include these 4 factors along with many others.

1. Increased Stamina

Getting enough rest leads to Montessori elementary school children who have the energy to get through their day. Increased stamina helps children perform better in physical activities by increasing their stamina and ability to push themselves a little more to achieve higher development of fine and gross motor skills.

2. Higher Retention Rate

There have been a number of studies over the years regarding the effects of getting enough sleep. The results indicate that children who wake up refreshed are better prepared to retain the information they learn during the day. This makes it possible for children to master skills faster, remember information longer, and put what they have learned to use in practical life situations.

3. Improved Behavior

A common cause of disruptive behavior in children is a lack of sufficient sleep. Children can be irritable or confrontational for no apparent reason, and that has the potential to disrupt important classroom activities. For this reason, the quality of a child’s sleep schedule is often looked at as a possible cause when kids behave in a less than appropriate manner.

4. More Attentive

Getting enough sleep helps children concentrate better. They are able to listen attentively without fidgeting about, and that leads to better overall performance throughout the day. Just as adults have difficulty focusing after a restless night, children may find it difficult to get involved in classroom activities if they are feeling tired from lack of sufficient sleep.

Lack of sleep is not the only cause of unwanted behavior in Montessori elementary school, but it can reduce the effects. Sleep is so important that parents are advised to set and stick to a schedule that provides ample opportunity for children to get the sleep they need.