Description
What
Our Parent Guides serve as a detailed reference document for parents about the Montessori pedagogy and genuine practice across each stage or cycle. The Guides are available to purchase as A5 sized, high-quality, professionally-printed booklets.
The Parent Guides will help current or prospective parents better understand Montessori education, helping them find answers to their questions about the Montessori approach.
For example, the Parent Guides for Ages 3–6 and 6–12 contain three sections comprising questions relating to the Learning Community, Learning Environment, and Montessori Adults.
Each question lists:
- Essential elements of the question. This refers back to the Montessori principles.
- What this can look like, or What this cultivates, pertains to the actual practices, behaviours or set-up you may see if you visited the classroom. Remember, these ideals may not be present at a particular time or in certain classrooms.
- Questions you may ask the Montessori educator. These are a few suggestions of possible questions that a qualified Montessori educator may answer.
- Questions you could ask yourself while observing the class. These questions help to guide your observation so you get the most out of the experience. Again, it’s important to note that each classroom will be different and may demonstrate only some of the observable characteristics you are looking for. This does not necessarily mean it is not a genuine Montessori classroom.
Additional Montessori Parent Guides for ages Birth-3 and 12-18 are in development. Please check our website for updates on their availability.
Why
Providing parents with this deep Montessori knowledge as early as possible helps increase their engagement with and commitment to choosing Montessori for their family.
It also helps parents become advocates for your school or centre and Montessori education as a whole.
How
Possible ways to use the Parent Guides include:
- As a follow-up document for prospective parents after a tour;
- Insert a copy with your prospectus or welcome pack for new families;
- Have copies available on Open Days or in welcome bags;
- Educators can use the Guides for planning parent education.
- Any other way you choose!
