This post is brought to you by the children’s house.

All parents want the best for their kids. But with so many choices available how do you go about selecting the right preschool for them? You know that it will set the tone for much of their future learning and so it’s a vitally important decision to get right.

One excellent way is to imagine what you want them to be as an adult. Do you want them to be successful in whatever field they select, be well-prepared for life, have high self-esteem, be good with people, be respectful, be able to think critically, and have self-discipline? If the answer is yes, then Montessori education may be a wise choice.

Pioneered in the last century by Dr Maria Montessori and her son, Montessori is an educational approach that is more relevant than ever. In the fast-changing world of the twenty-first century, the ability to learn is much more important than simply learning facts themselves.

After all, the facts change with greater knowledge but the skills of learning, communication, and being able to think critically last a lifetime. It’s never too early to start on this path. Here are seven reasons why you might choose Montessori education for your child.

1. Encourage independent spirit

Montessori teachers place great emphasis on allowing a child to unfold naturally and not moulding them into something they’re not. One size – or one form of learning – will never fit all and so each child’s uniqueness is fostered. Children are allowed to explore the classroom by themselves as all the furniture is scaled down and try things for themselves. This encourages an independent spirit and a desire to learn new things.

2. Develop an enthusiasm to learn

The learning environment is deliberately enriched so that children develop an enthusiasm for learning. There are practical life exercises that develop motor skills, enhance the ability to order, and increase the ability to concentrate on a task as well as teaching children important life skills. It’s an environment that helps to prepare students ultimately for life in the family, the wider community, and the workplace.

3. Promote high self-esteem

We develop self-esteem by being able to do things well. At first we get feedback from adults, but as we mature, we need to be able to get feedback for ourselves. The Montessori approach encourages this by creating a learning environment. The materials are prepared and ready for the child to work with at any time. The task itself gives them immediate feedback rather than requiring an adult to supervise and evaluate their work. It makes children confident and respected – the foundation for high self-esteem.

4. Foster the growth of people skills

The Montessori school is a close caring community which fosters the growth of people skills, now considered as important for success as academic achievement. The Montessori environment encourages freedom of movement and socialisation. Hence younger children are able to mingle and work with older children at their own free will. As a result, older children become mentors and role models, and younger children feel supported and gain confidence. Positive communication skills develop naturally in such an environment and these will be of paramount importance in later life.

5. Learn respect

Teachers model respect, loving kindness, and a belief in peaceful conflict resolution. As they move around the environment, they help children on an individual basis. At the same time, children are encouraged to find creative and peaceful ways to resolve disputes and become respectful to others – as well as themselves. A healthy respect for the environment is also fostered.

6. Learn to think critically and solve problems

Young children are naturally curious and ask question after question. Montessori education stresses the importance of asking questions but doesn’t always give the answers straight away. Instead the child’s inquisitiveness and critical thinking skills are developed by being given time to think through and discover answers. In this way, they learn to solve problems for themselves rather than learn things through memorisation. This approach will stand them in good stead in adult life.

7. Develop self-discipline

There’s no doubt that self-discipline is much more powerful than any discipline imposed from outside. Children have an inner need for consistency and repetition and feel calm, secure and able to learn as a result. The Montessori environment is an orderly place where schedules are clear and well adhered to, and ground rules are agreed and kept.

And finally – the future

Graduates of the Montessori approach include successful people in all walks of life including the professions and the arts. Montessori also fosters a serious entrepreneurial spirit – the founders of Google and of Amazon were educated at Montessori schools.

About the children’s house in Malaysia

If you’re interested to learn about one option for schools using the Montessori method, consider the children’s house. They brought the complete Montessori method to Malaysia in 1986. They now have eight locations in the country. You can learn more about this school and locations on their website here.

You can also read an article about the school here: 7 Things You Should Know about The children’s house Pre-School in Malaysia

Photo Gallery of the children’s house in Malaysia