Establishing Well-Rounded Brain Development at Apple Montessori
A young child’s brain is incredible and has an immeasurable capacity for development and learning. Most of a child’s brain development happens in the first six years of their life. During these years, your child has what Dr. Maria Montessori referred to as an “absorbent” mind. Like a sponge, a child absorbs vast amounts of information quickly. Amazing, right?
“The child can only develop fully by means of experience in his environment.” —Maria Montessori
This makes the choice of where your child receives their early childhood education an incredibly important decision for the development of young absorbent minds!
At Apple, we understand what it means to establish well-rounded brain development for the children in our care. That is why our infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs provide an enriching environment that makes the most out of these critical early years.
1. More than 80% of a child’s brain growth is completed by AGE 3.
During those critical early years, children go through a series of sensitive periods, during which they are especially receptive to learning.
This critical learning period is crucial for intellectual, emotional, and social development. At Apple, our curriculum has been designed to make the most of this rich learning opportunity. This approach allows our educators to nurture our children’s passion for discovery so that they grow to become life-long learners.
2. Mathematics is FOOD for the BRAIN.
Mathematics trains the brain to see connections and builds the neural pathways that make the brain stronger for all other things such as systematic thinking, problem solving, and arriving at logical conclusions. A lack of mathematic exercises obstructs a child’s mind from being able to handle unfamiliar tasks with ease and confidence, learn successfully through trial and error, or foster cautious and careful thinking.
Our Montessori math materials provide a hands-on approach to number concepts, quantity, and operations. The materials are presented sequentially. As the child reaches an understanding of the concepts, they move through the curriculum to advance at their own pace.
3. By the time a child is FIVE YEARS OLD, 85% of their intellect, personality, and skills will already be cemented.
Early education is critical in boosting brain development and building lifelong cognitive foundations.
Early learning is when nearly all brain-building happens. 85% of brain development happens before age 5 while 15% of brain development occurs after age 5.
4. Daily HANDS-ON activities develop a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem in children.
Learning through multi-sensory materials increases vocabulary and foundation of complex concepts (leading to better math and language skills). It also helps children develop higher levels of fine motor skills and concentration.
Every material and activity in our classrooms is designed to support the developmental needs of each child.
Apple Montessori utilizes purposeful activities such as practical life tasks like, pouring, buttoning, and zipping. These activities develop motor control and coordination, concentration, and independence. Our sensorial lessons encourage children to use their five senses and experience textures, colors, sizes and shapes.
Multi-sensory materials help young children learn by sight, feel, and texture and bring abstract concepts to life. Through these hands-on materials, children are encouraged to discover and explore at a pace best suited for their own interests and abilities.
5. Learning environments that provide STRUCTURED FREEDOM, allow children the balanced latitude to realize their fullest, most unique potential, in both school and life.
When a child is given this level of autonomy to focus, experiment, and learn, they naturally begin to develop abilities of concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and independence. In this environment, children flourish and begin to develop a lifelong love of learning.
Our educators respect each child’s unique potential, encouraging them to follow their own curiosities at their own pace. Working individually, with partners, or in small groups, children engage in hands-on activities that bring learning alive in the classroom.
6. Helping children build an awareness of the world beyond oneself allows them to:
- Pay greater attention to their surroundings
- Think more innovatively using existing knowledge
- Improve their working memory
- Improve their problem solving and reasoning skills
- Become more socially responsible global citizens and leaders
In mixed-age group dynamics, pro-social behaviors such as teamwork, sharing, and turn taking are developed. These behaviors not only facilitate social interaction, but also promote social development, perception, and competence—increasing a child’s overall social awareness, empowering them to flourish as an individual and be happy.
Younger children have the advantage of learning from older students, as well as developing real leadership skills, while the older students the older children are able to set the example and mentor the younger children.
7. When children have opportunities to develop executive functioning skills and their brain grows.
It is important to nourish this growth in children. They develop self-regulation which leads to positive behaviors, good health, focused attention, and successful work.
At Apple, we believe each child has a gift to offer in making the world a better place. To nurture the whole child, we focus on character development and provide numerous opportunities to help children become self-aware and wonderfully well-rounded citizens.
Timing is everything, and our educators use this critical time to build a strong foundation for your child’s love for learning. We are committed to nurturing the whole child and empower students to reach their fullest potential not only academically but also socially, emotionally, and beyond!
There is no better time to tour our schools and learn about the Apple Difference.
We are confident that your child will flourish developmentally within our modern Montessori approach.
