How are we different?
Fairy Slipper Montessori is a creative reconceptualization of the traditional Montessori early childhood classroom.
Offering the benefits of the Montessori work cycle in the form of a 2 ½ hour preschool class.
It is a classroom built on a foundation of respect for young children as independent beings and creative thinkers.
Valuing art, exploration, and group connection as critical to bringing the Montessori classroom to life.
Here are some of the ways we differ from most traditional Montessori classrooms:
Independence
Exploration
Creative Thinking
In a Montessori classroom most of the materials on the shelves are individually presented to each child before they can be used independently. The child watches as the teacher models the entire activity, beginning to end, before they can have a turn.
At Fairy Slipper we want children to be able to explore the materials in the classroom freely - and we believe there is value in the process of figuring out how the materials might work for themselves, before (or even without) being shown.
Presentations will generally be brief introductions or treated more as, "Now let me show you another way it could be done." While there are a variety of Montessori materials that will still require a full presentation, the majority of materials in the classroom are carefully selected to support independent exploration, encouraging creative thinking and problem solving.
While art experiences in Montessori classrooms vary widely depending on the teacher, Fairy Slipper is an arts-rich environment! The main difference you will find in our classroom being the wide range of art materials available at all times, and the element of group art activity.
We have an entire shelf devoted to art activities, most of which are individual trays that a child can bring to a table and concentrate on independently. Often there will be a small group art invitation set up as well, such as still life drawing or self portraits. And there will always be at least one ongoing group art activity of a larger scale - as well as a group maker space.
Process Art
Group Explorations
Artist Quality Materials
Decision Making
Social Connection
Friendship
Many of the materials in a Montessori early childhood classroom are for just one person to work with at a time, particularly in the practical life area. This allows children to build concentration, patience, and to observe and learn from others. You will see this in our classroom as well.
But we also want to see how children independently choose to use the Montessori materials, including deciding for themselves if they want to work with a friend or two. We want to make space for connection and playful exploration together.
You may see more group work happening in our classroom than a typical Montessori program, and the conversation levels may be higher!