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Questions Often Asked About MLKMS
What makes MLKMS unique?
Thanks to awarded grants from various foundations that include Parkview Hospital Foundation, St Joseph Community Health Foundation, Foellinger Foundation and United Way of Allen County, MLKMS provides a variety of comprehensive services to more than 100 children and their families each year. Below are some of the programs provided by MLKMS at no added cost to the families that sets us apart from other early childhood programs in the area.
- Montessori preschool and kindergarten education
- Educated, trained and dedicated staff
- Door-to-door transportation on our own buses
- On-site federal nutrition program (breakfast, lunch and snack)
- Before and after-school care program
- Physical education program
- Family services program including a family services coordinator, advocate and social worker
- Weekly speech and language therapy
- Monthly parent enrichment meetings
- Specialized educational testing and evaluation
- Health program including school nurse and health facilitator
- Vision, dental, hearing and speech assessments, lead screenings and counseling
- Parent Advisory Committee to involve parents in school operations
Why should I send my child to MLKMS?
Most educators and psychologists today agree that the single most important period of development of a person’s intelligence occurs between the birth and age six. A child’s mind is extremely absorbent and his curiosity is at a peak during these early years. When properly nourished and stimulated, the child’s mind forms patterns for learning that serve him well throughout his life. The Montessori system of preschool education has proven to be one of the most effective and fastest growing methods to guide a child through these critical years.
How is a Montessori preschool different from other preschools?
In most preschools, children are taught educational concepts in a group by a teacher. In a Montessori preschool, children learn concepts spontaneously as they work independently with the many materials in the environment.
What is the Montessori method of education?
The Montessori method of education is basically a unique approach to learning. Rather than “teaching” the child concepts, an environment is designed to stimulate the child’s interest and facilitate his understanding and learning capacities spontaneously - with little or no intervention.
What is the purpose of the Montessori method?
The Montessori method of education aims to develop an environment where the child can unfold spontaneously and manifest the greater person within. As the child begins to develop his inner self, his love of life and learning expands continuously.
What is in a Montessori classroom?
The classroom is a child-size world. Whatever is in the world outside can be incorporated in the Montessori classroom. To a child, the world is unmanageable – it is too big, too complex, and too confusing. By careful selection of materials by the directress (teacher), an environment is set up that allows the child to explore life on a level he can understand. The materials or exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. This prepared environment entices the child to proceed at his own pace from simple activities to more complex ones. Through this process, the child’s natural curiosity is satisfied, and he begins to experience the joy of discovering the world around him.
With all the freedom, isn’t there confusion?
The concept of freedom within the classroom is one of freedom within limits. A child is allowed to work freely so long as he does not disturb others. Actually, the children having the freedom to follow their interests are generally happy and busily involved with their work.
How do Montessori children adjust to public schools?
Children who have been in a Montessori environment are generally very flexible and adjust quite easily to the public school situation. They are generally better students and spend their time in more productive ways because of their self-direction and positive attitude towards learning.
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