Stone Ridge Montessori, based in Chantilly, Virginia, has revealed that they have been able to sustain learning through Zoom sessions despite the restrictions of movement that have been imposed because of the Covid19 crisis situation. One example is their Zoom art sessions where the preschool students were able to work on crafts with the help of their parents. One parent was so happy with the sessions that she shared some comments on Facebook on how she had enjoyed and had so much fun helping her daughter with the craftwork. More about the Zoom art sessions can be gleaned from their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StoneRidgeMontessori/posts/1131173840561671.
Laurette Lander, School Director of Stone Ridge Montessori, says, “We’re glad that we had received great feedback from parents regarding our Zoom sessions. These sessions indicate that our school is indeed committed to sustain learning through this season as we look forward to things getting back to normal.”
Stone Ridge Montessori is an AdvancED accredited Montessori school that has been serving the Aldie and Stone Ridge communities since 2009. It is their goal is to offer a genuine Montessori experience based on the studies of Dr. Maria Montessori, who established the Montessori Method of teaching children.
According to Dr. Montessori, it is from birth to six years of age, which is the first stage of development of children, that they shift from being unconscious learners to conscious learners. What makes a Montessori classroom different from the traditional classroom is that it is carefully prepared to allow the children to study independently and experience the joy of discovering things for themselves. The role of the teachers is to guide the children, introducing to them lessons and activities that may interest them and stimulate their curiosity about certain topics. Those who would like to know more about this preschool can follow their Twitter page at https://twitter.com/SR_montessori.
At Stone Ridge Montessori, the children work on those activities and lessons that they consider to be interesting. As a result, they get to learn things more quickly compared to children in the conventional classroom. The Montessori Method focuses on five specific genres: language, science, mathematics, practical life, and sensorial. Each Montessori classroom is therefore provide with materials for a series of lessons for each of the five genres and in different levels of complexity.
The children are free to just focus on one genre or work on all five in a single day. They are then permitted to be independent and to make their own choices to motivate them in such a way that they are able to develop a more independent and self-guided process of thinking that is based on their creative thought processes and individuality. Laurette Lander explains that their educational goal is not really about academics but instead to encourage children so that they get to experience the joy of discovery knowledge by themselves. What is important is that the children will enjoy being in school and the process of learning. In the current situation where there is a restriction of movement because of the Covid19 situation, the teachers and administrators of the Montessori school are using technology, such as the Internet and the Zoom app to hold virtual classrooms, while still following the Montessori Method. Perhaps, what makes the situation interesting is that parents have the opportunity to get involved in the education of their children and get to enjoy the process.
Meanwhile, Stone Ridge Montessori also incorporates the Reggio approach to the Montessori method in their school. The Reggio approach to early childhood education is to guide and assist the children so that they are motivated into developing their higher critical thinking skills that are required to come up with relevant questions to increase their knowledge. It is the role of the teachers to observe their students and document their learning experiences with the use of videos, projects, notes, and photographs.
Parents who are interested in the Montessori method and the curriculum at Stone Ridge Montessori may want to visit their website at https://www.stoneridgemontessori.com, or contact them on the phone or through email.
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For more information about Stone Ridge Montessori, contact the company here:
Stone Ridge Montessori
Laurette Lander
(703) 327-0884
info@stoneridgemontessori.com
Stone Ridge Montessori
25075 White Sands Dr
Chantilly, VA 20152
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