While “Montessori” probably conjures up thoughts of wooden toys and independent play, there’s a whole lot more to understand about the teaching method that’s used across many of Colorado’s most popular private daycares. Yes, specially-designed materials and child-led activities are definitely part of the package, but there are many differentiators that set the Montessori style apart from a more traditional approach to education. With a focus on children’s individual interests and needs, the approach promotes hands-on, self-paced, collaborative learning, which tends to really resonate with kids and parents alike. 

The teaching experts at Guidepost Montessori offered to provide their expertise and breakdown the features you’ll find in a tried-and-true Montessori school. With over 80 campuses across the United States and Asia–including four locations in Colorado, plus virtual programs, Guidepost is the largest Montessori network in the world, empowering and nurturing kids ages 0 to 14 for more than 7,000 families across the globe.

 

 

What is Montessori Education? 

Thoughtful Learning Environment 

No rows of school desks here! Montessori classrooms are beautiful, inviting, and thoughtfully arranged, with organized and accessible learning materials ready for the taking. Classrooms follow an open floor plan to create an environment that encourages discovery and choice. There are also areas for group activities, as well as areas for independent learning. 

 

Real Materials 

The real child-sized furniture, live plants, and ceramic dishes found in Montessori schools all teach children to respect and care for materials. Working off the idea that children know when they are engaged in real purposeful activities–and not just pretending to take part in an adult task–these materials help kids grow their confidence and self-esteem. 

 

Mixed-Age Classrooms 

Unlike most schools, Montessori programs are all about multi-age groupings in classrooms for students ages 3-6 in the “Children's House,” program. 

With this arrangement, which is meant to be more representative of the real world, older students organically step into leadership roles and hone life skills like communicating and problem solving by mentoring younger children. 

 

 

Hands-On 

In a Montessori classroom, you’re more likely to find students exploring new topics by leading their own projects with carefully-designed classroom materials than reading an assigned textbook. 

For example, when learning about geography and maps, kids start by using sandpaper and colored globes to learn the differences between land and water, then move on to doing world map puzzles. Even the youngest learners in the class have the opportunity to trace, pin poke, cut, and paint maps in a much more experiential and concrete way than doing a worksheet. 

 

Flexible Curriculum 

In traditional education, learning is systemized and pretty rigid, requiring students to adapt to however lessons and subject matter are taught. In a Montessori program, however, teaching caters to the readiness of each individual student, and there’s more flexibility to personalize lessons as needed. 

 

Child-Led 

Short periods of learning time with frequently changing subjects are fairly typical in a traditional school setting. But in an authentic Montessori preschool or program, students explore subjects at their own pace during 3-hour periods called “work cycles” (often 2 hours in toddler classrooms). These uninterrupted cycles minimize difficult transitions and help kids develop the concentration and self-direction that’s meaningful in adulthood. 

 

Real-Time Assessment 

You won’t find teachers giving large group lessons and then assigning homework to see if students understand the material or relying on testing to gauge kids’ skill level. Instead, a Montessori “guide” circulates the classroom to assess and support each child one-on-one. Small class sizes allow teachers to have a close understanding of each child’s readiness to move on to the next stage. 

 

 

Learn More About Guidepost Montessori 

 

Colorado is home to four Guidepost campuses–Parker, Aurora, Centennial, and Longmont–with programming available for ages 10 weeks to 6 years. Spanish immersion is also available at select schools. All locations offer year-round enrollment for in-person and virtual programming and accept transfer students. 

Our team is growing! We are looking for passionate educators to join our team! If know someone who would make an ideal Guidepost teacher get in touch at talent@guidepostmontessori.com.  

We offer competitive benefits, including: 

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A generous tuition discount 

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Fully sponsored MACTE-accredited Montessori training (worth $5,000) 

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Training and development opportunities