Our Blog

Choosing the Right Preschool in Summit

If you are looking for a preschool in Summit that will be able to provide your child with a great first step on their educational journey, you will have to consider quite a few things when making your choice. The following should help you to get a better idea of what you should look for when choosing the right preschool.

Location and Hours Available

One of the first things that many parents are going to consider when they are choosing a preschool is where it is located in relation to their home or their workplace. They want to find a school that is not only good for the kids, but that is also going to be convenient for the commute. In addition to the location of the school, you will want to think about the hours the school operates.

Just Because Public Preschool Might Be Available Doesn’t Mean It’s a Good Idea

Some public schools will have preschool programs, but that is not always the case. Even when they do have preschool, it might not be the best choice for some children. Instead, parents will want to consider some of the other options that are available. With many of these preschools, even though they are trying to get the kids ready for school, they are not spending as much time with the children on an individual basis as many parents would like.

Consider the Montessori Method Schools

Those who want their children to have more attention and a different learning experience for preschool will want to consider schools that utilize the Montessori method. These schools are often available for kindergarten and not just for preschool. These schools can provide kids with a great place to learn, and they can help the kids to develop a love of learning.

A Good Reputation Is Essential

Of course, the element that is going to be more important than the others is the reputation of the school. Naturally, you want to make sure that you are only sending your children to a school that has an excellent reputation when it comes to the programs they offer, along with safety for the children. Take your time and do your research to make sure that the school you choose has a stellar reputation.
When it comes to choosing the right preschool, in the Summit area of NJ, you will want to learn more about Alpine Montessori.

Give your child a steady future with Preschool Training

The best way to give your child a steady future is with the best preschool training programs available in Oak Ridge NJ. Preschool training reflects all the latest evidence-based practices in early childhood education. Every parent worries about their children’s future at some point. We want to know that our children are prepared to meet the challenges that will face them in grade school and beyond.

Preschool Training to Maximize Your Child’s Innate Talents & Abilities

Early childhood education is about helping children develop their motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills in a supportive and age-appropriate way. A good preschool in Oak Ridge NJ understands that each child learns differently and has a different personality disposition, too. With Alpine Montessori, you never need to worry about your child being supported at preschool. The Montessori method has been designed to maximize your child’s innate talents and abilities.

Safe & Supportive Environment

Providing a safe and supportive environment is the most important part of a preschool. The learning environment should be diverse, allowing some students to engage with learning materials in ways that suit them. A student-centric learning environment at Alpine Montessori recognizes that some students like to be hands-on and physical, others like to process things verbally or work out problems in their heads, and others prefer to interact with their peers continually throughout the day. The goal of preschool is not to pressure your children into conforming, but to bring out their natural sense of wonder while also developing the social, motor, and cognitive skills they need to thrive.

The preparation children receive in a good preschool training program is priceless. Early childhood is a time for rapid growth and development. With a good preschool program in Oak Ridge NJ, you are investing in your child’s future. Give your children the best early childhood education with Alpine Montessori.

What is unique about the Montessori Method?

Early childhood is a critical time for social, psychological, and physical development. Although there is no one perfect or correct method of early childhood learning, the Montessori Method does have advantages over other systems because of its inherent flexibility and philosophy. The emphasis in a Montessori school program in New Jersey will be on providing personalized, supportive instruction that brings out the best in each child.

Montessori Method Supports a Diverse Learning Environment

Parents are impressed with the way the Montessori Method supports a diverse learning environment. Instead of expecting all children to learn at the same pace and in the same way, as in some conventional public schools, Alpine Montessori teachers recognize that every child approaches learning differently. Some are more socially oriented, and can help shy or withdrawn peers to come out of their shells in a Montessori classroom environment. The Montessori classroom environment is nonjudgmental, and respectful of different learning styles.

Hands-on Learning

Some children prefer hands-on learning, which is also supported fully within the Montessori Method. The Montessori Method continues to recognize the emergence of early analytical reasoning, critical thinking, computational and literacy skills a child will develop. Rather than place pressure on young children to demonstrate mastery of tasks before they are ready, Montessori teachers support students toward reaching conclusions and acquiring knowledge on their own terms.

Maximize Innate Curiosity

As a parent, you may have noticed that children are naturally inquisitive and prone to asking questions. The Montessori system at Alpine is designed to maximize this innate curiosity. Rather than impose a rigid curriculum, this method creates an environment in which children can direct their own learning via their interests and aptitudes. When you are considering the best options for your child’s education in New Jersey, consider the multitude of proven benefits to the Montessori Method.

What are Kindergarten Methods of Teaching?

Kindergarten, which literally means a garden for children, comprises a range of early childhood educational practices. Different types of kindergarten, including those that use the Montessori method, exist in Lafayette, NJ. Kindergarten methods of teaching use different instructional designs to help children learn at their own pace while in a social and collaborative environment.

In kindergarten and other preschool models, young children are exposed to a range of activities that they may not have encountered before. For example, the teacher in a kindergarten may speak to the entire class at once while delivering a lesson on something like phonics to stimulate early literacy development or on numbers to encourage the development of mathematical skills.

Kindergarten Methods of Teaching: Group Learning

In addition to group learning, kindergarten methods of teaching can also include small group instruction in which children divide into groups of two or more to work together on a project. Small group learning is critical for promoting a child’s social skills. Likewise, when children work on projects with peers, they learn how to communicate one on one in ways that create harmonious social relationships.

Kindergarten programs like those at Alpine Montessori are also based on the principle of individualized learning. Children in a kindergarten using the Montessori method are encouraged to learn at their own pace. The kindergarten method of teaching is nurturing and supportive rather than competitive. Children learn through fun and engaging activities like art and music, transforming playtime into opportunities to instill important cognitive skills, motor skills, and social skills. A good kindergarten program combines a multitude of teaching methods and instructional designs.

Finally, the kindergarten method of teaching prepares children for the more formal learning that takes place in grade school. The Montessori method empowers children to ask questions and direct their own educational trajectory. It is important to choose a preschool or kindergarten in Lafayette, NJ that meets your child’s needs.

The Value of Independent Learning in Kindergarten

Even if you are a Montessori fan, you may wonder if Montessori is the right approach for your kindergarten student. After all, Montessori was developed for a preschool population, which leads many people to think that Montessori only works for younger kids. However, Montessori’s emphasis on independent learning makes it a perfect fit for kindergarten, which is when kids usually begin to transition from the play-oriented approach of preschool to the more education-focus of primary school. At Alpine Montessori, with convenient locations serving Summit and the surrounding areas, we think that our kid-centered, child-directed approach to education, is perfect for kindergarten. It allows children to develop at their own pace, which is important for kindergarten age children, because that one-year span of ages for kindergarten students can translate into very differing ability levels. Child-driven education prevents the pigeon-holing that can occur in more traditional educational environments and helps keep children from getting frustrated with the learning experience.

We think that Montessori is the perfect approach for kindergarten because kindergarten is not just about learning basic skills and getting the building blocks for an education; it is about learning social skills and how to interact with peers. The Montessori emphasis on individuality does not discourage kids from forming great friendships, instead, it gives kids the freedom to make friends without feeling like they have to abandon their individuality. Some people misinterpret this emphasis on individuality as a lack of structure, but being child-driven does not mean that there is no structure. Instead, it means that the students get to help shape their structure. This means that kids who are struggling in an area will not hold back other students, while kids who are advanced can explore at their own pace. Because the kids are never put in competition with each other, Montessori eschews the traditional educational emphasis on labels, which tend to follow students over a lifetime, even if any early challenges that led to the labeling have actually disappeared.

While we think that Montessori is right for every child, we encourage parents to schedule a visit to one of our schools, conveniently located in Sparta, and Oak Ridge, and see for themselves if Montessori is right for their child.

The Right Kindergarten School is Essential for Children

Parents who believe they can send their children to just any kindergarten in Sparta NJ are greatly mistaken. Kindergarten is sometimes the first chance for a child to be in a structured learning environment with other kids, so it’s critical for them to be comfortable in that environment. Not making the right choice could damper a child’s ability to learn in the future.

Set Your Children Up For Their Future

If a child has a bad experience at a kindergarten, there’s a chance they will have the same negative connotation with schools in the future. However, by putting them in a positive learning environment at the kindergarten level, learning can be made fun and set them up for future educational success.

Individual Teaching Methods

A great option for a kindergarten school is to find one focused on teaching children on an individual basis rather than focusing on the group. Kids need individual attention at times, since they all have different learning abilities and needs. Some children simply need more time to warm up to a group setting, and individual attention can help ease the transition.

Children Need The Right Skills in Kindergarten

Learning the right skills at an early age can significantly impact a child’s development in a positive way. Kindergarten in Sparta NJ provides the right materials and activities consistent with each child’s needs will be more successful in developing those children.

There are many things parents need to consider before they decide on a kindergarten class to send their children to. But making the right choice can help put children on the path to success at an early age.

To learn more about the benefits of sending your child to the best Kindergarten available, be sure to visit the Alpine Montessori website.

What is a Kindergarten School?

From the German word for “garden for children,” a Kindergarten sounds like it should be a fun learning environment for children—and that is exactly what a Kindergarten school is. A Kindergarten should be a safe and enjoyable place where children can play, sing, dance, laugh, and learn. Now considered an integral part of early childhood education, Kindergarten can prepare your children for a lifetime of learning, cognitive development, and social engagement. In Sparta, NJ, there are a lot of different Kindergarten options. Which one is right for you?

Lots Of Opportunities For Children

It might help to think about Kindergarten as a bridge between the free and unstructured play of preschool and the increasingly structured environment of elementary school. Kindergartens offer lots of opportunities for children to just be kids—from spending time outdoors playing games to making arts and crafts. Yet each activity in a Kindergarten school also offers your child a tremendous opportunity for learning as well as just having fun. The best thing about a Montessori Kindergarten like Alpine in New Jersey is that children learn at their own pace. They are also encouraged to interact with their environments and exercise their naturally inquisitive selves, under the guidance of qualified instructors.

Safe Environment For Children

Kindergarten is a safe environment for children to express themselves, while at the same time learning about themselves and the world around them. A Kindergarten school ideally has enough resources like books, computers, toys, and games to offer a stimulating, multimedia learning environment for children with different aptitudes, interests, and needs. In Kindergarten, children learn how to master activities and develop confidence in their skills. A Kindergarten school should also be led by qualified early childhood educators and their assistants, who bring out the best in children. At a Montessori school like Alpine, children in Kindergarten work with the best early childhood educators in New Jersey.