Choosing the best Montessori school for your kid could be a real daunting task, especially when there are so many international schools in Tokyo. If you’re looking for your toddler to have an authentic Montessori experience, don’t just go by the name of the school or the approach that the word Montessori has been mentioned within the name of the school. Physical comfort of a student in the classroom is a topic that is often neglected and needs to be spoken about. Children spend as long as 9 hours at their desks every day and almost 83% of them sit at desks and chairs that are not suitable for their body height. Hence, school furniture plays an important role in learning environment. Any school can include the word Montessori in its name, but not every school is able to justify the responsibility attached with that word.
When it comes to choosing the right Montessori school, parents may feel a bit overwhelmed, especially if it’s their first time. Don’t be scared to ask questions as they will assist you in taking this crucial decision for your kid. Here are some helpful tips to consider before choosing a Montessori school for your kid.
Montessori Curriculum
Prior to enrolling in a Montessori school, make sure that the school is offering an authentic Montessori curriculum. It is imperative to know the curriculum beforehand so that you can understand what your child will be learning in the next 1-2 years. Montessori schools should let children play as much as possible because young children learn while playing.
School Culture
The school’s culture should be devoted to helping each kid grow towards independence. The school should be able to build confidence, increase competence, promote self-esteem, and teach respect for others – all important things that should be taught early. Always remember, Montessori is not just an approach to education, but to life.
Teacher-Student Ratio
Ask the school authorities about the teacher-student ratio in Montessori. It is of utmost importance that the ratio is on the lower side so that maximum attention from the teacher for each child can be ensured.
Montessori Trained Teachers
Teaching Montessori children is no child’s play. It may look easy from the outside, but it isn’t really. A good school will have specialised teachers for different age groups. It is always recommended to go through the qualifications of the teachers to understand if they are trained to teach Montessori students or not.
Teaching Style
Attend a class for a few minutes or talk to the teachers separately in the presence of your kid and notice how the teacher talks to children or your kid. Montessori teachers are usually very humble and wonderful at communicating with small kids.
Observe if the teacher listens to the children or not? Does she get down to the student’s level and speak with them with respect? Do not fall for teachers who reward or punish children or label them good or bad. While praising a child is encouraging, a teacher should never label a child as a good child or a bad child.
Global Indian International School (GIIS) is one of the leading international schools in Tokyo offering the best Montessori experience for your toddlers. GIIS believes that young children are the most valuable resources for Japan’s future, thus, they have integrated their Montessori pedagogy with a ‘plus’ of modern teaching techniques that offer growth opportunities to students.
Montessori students at GIIS are nurtured in a caring and happy environment. GIIS’ Montessori activities are built on the five pillars of literacy, numeracy, experiential learning, modern-age technology, and interactive games that help students build phenomenal skills like concentration, coordination, independence, and a sense of responsibility.
Choosing a good Montessori school will give your child the necessary foundation as they begin their educational journey. This could be one of the most important choices you make for your child. Choose wisely.
