When I was a kid, I didn't like school very much. It seemed long and boring, and I couldn't wait for the day to end. However, as I grew up, I realized that there were a lot of things about school that were absolutely precious, such as the chance to further your education and expand your mind. I started focusing more seriously on enjoying school, and it was a really incredible experience. Within a few short months, I was participating more in class, getting better grades, and making more friends in the classes that I was a part of. This blog is all about enjoying school more and more each day.
Is math a content area child care centers include? If your preschooler attends a Montessori daycare, the answer to this question is yes. Take a look at how Montessori schools help young children to develop early math skills in a student-centered, supportive environment.
Why Should Young Children Learn Math?
Even though calculus can wait until the later years of school, the young child can benefit from an early mathematics education. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a high-quality, challenging math education during the early years can help the young student to build a foundation for later learning.
An early start to a math education helps preschoolers to develop more than just basic skills. Along with the foundational abilities they'll need to understand more complex mathematics concepts (such as algebra or statistics), early childhood math can also help the young child to develop a lifelong interest in the subject area.
Is Math Part of the Montessori Preschool Classroom?
Will your child explore basic math concepts in the Montessori daycare or preschool classroom? Like other daycare center programs, Montessori also includes math as part of the students' day. If you're new to Montessori or considering this type of child care center, talk to the educators about how, when, and why they use math in their classroom.
While math is part of the Montessori classroom curriculum, it isn't always a stand-alone area. The young students may explore math in the context of other areas, such as art, science, early literacy, or music.
How Is Math Different in Montessori?
You won't find worksheets, flashcards, and lengthy lectures in the Montessori classroom. At the early childhood level (ages three through six), Montessori education is child-directed, hands-on, and exploratory.
The abstract concepts of numeracy, geometry, and other areas of math aren't always easy for the young child to understand. Without the cognitive ability to internalize math ideas, the preschooler may lose interest in math. But not in the Montessori classroom. Montessori math materials provide a way for the young child to turn abstract ideas into concrete concepts through hands-on experiences.
An abacus, number rods, bead chains, the spindle box, and other Montessori materials help students to make their own discovery and practice math facts. The types of learning methods you'll see in the Montessori preschool classroom can help your child to truly understand basic math concepts—and not just memorize facts.
Ask a child care center near you about their curriculum.
Share16 June 2020
