Dear Cathie— Our oldest child will begin attending the Montessori school in our area in just a few weeks. We are new to the neighborhood, the philosophy and the school. We are anxious to meet the faculty, other families and children and others in the community as we begin this experience. But we are not exactly sure how to go about doing that. It seems like there is a lot of information coming out now, and it feels pretty overwhelming. Send us some wisdom please! — New Montessori Parents
Dear Parents,
Welcome to this wonderful new world! You are, indeed, in a time of adjustment. Moving is significant in the life of a young child as well in the lives of a family and it may take you awhile to feel settled and acclimated. As you do that though, you want to take advantage of the opportunities that the school offers.
Be sure to attend any “back-to-school” meetings, picnics, or “meet-and-greet” activities that they have scheduled. These will help you learn about the school and what you and your child need to bring (and do) in the first few weeks; it is also a chance for you, as parents, to get to meet other parents in the community.
Read all the material that the school provides. It may seem like a lot but it is indeed valuable and thought through carefully. Ask questions about the things that seem unclear. The Montessori Method is based on scientific evidence, and everything in the classroom is done with a purpose. It may seem silly or unnecessary in the beginning, but it all fits together to aid in your child’s development. Often, there are articles available on the bulletin board. These can also help you learn about the Method and how it works. Material will come out regularly from your school as the year progresses, and you will want to be sure to stay abreast of all of this! Read the school newsletter, as well as any articles or magazines provided. The more you know about the Montessori Method, the more you can help foster the Method at home and create a smooth transition between home and school, allowing your child as much independence as possible.
Look for potential friends for your child, yourself, and your family. Notice which families are picking up at the same time as you are. Families with similar schedules are great potential new friends, and playdates after school are a nice way to get to know each other. These can happen at a local park or playground while the weather is still nice and can be fun and informal for both parents and children. Often, families of children who attend school only half day include a picnic lunch or meet after lunch if your school includes a lunch program. If you are a full-time working family, these activities still work well on the weekend. This can include both parents and even other siblings, giving the entire family an outing. Once you start to meet people, they can help you find family-friendly activities in the area that match your family’s interests. It won’t take long to feel a part of the school community. And the best part is that these new friends will probably have like-minded views about education and child rearing.
Children will also begin to talk about their classmates. Listen to their discussion and see who your child is finding the most appealing. That might be a child to invite over for a playdate or a family to join for an outing. When children are young, playdates generally happen with their parents included. In time, when the children become comfortable with each other’s parents, children may be comfortable to play at each other’s homes without all parents present. It is generally a process for a child and family evolving to become comfortable with each other. The timing varies from family to family and situation to situation.
Enjoy getting to know your new Montessori school and families, new neighbors, and your greater new community!
Tomorrow’s Child/Sept 2017/pg 35
