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WHAT IS MONTESSORI?

Montessori is an educational approach based on the understanding of natural learning tendencies in children. This method was developed by doctor and educator Maria Montessori, in Italy about a century ago.

It promotes self-directed activities on the part of the child and clinical observation on the part of the teacher and it stresses the importance of adapting the child's learning environment to his or her developmental level.

The Montessori environment contains specially designed materials for development that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries with the materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Children are encouraged to teach and help each other.

BENEFITS

A 2006 study published in the journal "Science" concluded that Montessori students performed better than control students in a variety of areas, including not only traditional academic areas such as language and math, but in social skills as well.

According to this study, the Montessori children:

  • performed better on standardized tests of reading and math,
  • engaged in positive interaction on the playground more and,
  • showed advanced social cognition and executive control more.

They also:

  • showed more concern for fairness and justice.

At the end of elementary school, Montessori children:

  • wrote more creative essays with more complex sentence structures,
  • selected more positive responses to social dilemmas, and
  • reported feeling more of a sense of community at their school.

The authors of the study concluded that, "when strictly implemented, Montessori education fosters social and academic skills that are equal or superior to those fostered by a pool of other types of schools."

Other research has supplemented this study by showing superior math and science performance in high school by children who previously attended public Montessori (as compared to high school classmates, over half of whom were at the most selective city public high schools); and by showing a higher level of interest and motivation while doing school work as well as more positive social relations among Montessori middle-school students as opposed to matched controls.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

El Pequeño Artista Preschool applies Montessori teaching methods and materials in Spanish. We have successfully worked for over four years with language immersion in combination with Montessori techniques and these workshops have proven to be fruitful.

Our alumni have acquired a strong foundation in the Spanish language and gone on to standard public schools and other institutions with positive attitude, interest and great social development. While we use Montessori methods and materials primarily, we also incorporate some extra activities such as dance, yoga, music, cooking, etc.

El Pequeño Artista’s philosophy is based on the Montessori system combined with other methods that have proven to improve the time children spend at our school and enhance their learning process, all done in an immersion environment in Spanish.

SAMPLE DAY

Our part-time program includes individual Montessori activities chosen by the students, and group work - this format alternates day to day so all groups have the chance to experience it.

9AM Practical Life – Getting dressed, brushing your hair, sewing, washing, sweeping, watering the plants, etc.
9:30 Social Relationships – Group work: reading books, saying hello, introducing yourself/friends.
10 Snack time.
10:30 Motor skills – Exercises: stretching, yoga and use of props.
11 Silence – Developing hearing abilities, placing oneself as individual in a space.
11:30 Free work / Preparation for morning student dismissal.
12 Arrival of afternoon students / Lunch.
12:30 Clean up / Relax.
1:30 Circle time (conversations/social topics - maps/geography).
2:15 Art linked to circle time conversations.
2:45 Get ready to go home.

SCHEDULE & FEES

Our program runs from September 2010 to June 2011 (The final calendar will likely match the NYC public school calendar.)

Twenty percent of the tuition is due March 1st to secure a spot in our preschool. Another 40% of the full tuition is due on October 15th. The remaining 40% is due December 15th of 2010.

For tuition fees for the year 2010-11, please contact us at 718.965.1406 or elpequenoartista@gmail.com.