Montessori

The Montessori method is an enormously powerful, confidence-building approach to early education that focuses on a child’s immense capacity to absorb information when learning is driven by his or her own curiosity.

Charlotte Preparatory School’s Early School is based on Montessori principles because we believe this to be the most successful method to teach young children, and the most effective way to enable them to reach their full potential. Studies comparing outcomes of children educated at Montessori preschools with children who attended traditional preschool programs indicate that early Montessori education leads to significant advantages in academic and social skills upon entering elementary school.

“Among the 5-year-olds, Montessori students proved to be significantly better prepared for elementary school in reading and math skills than the non-Montessori children. They also tested better on ‘executive function,’ the ability to adapt to changing and more complex problems, an indicator of future school and life success. Montessori children also displayed better abilities on the social and behavioral tests, demonstrating a greater sense of justice and fairness. And on the playground they were much more likely to engage in emotionally positive play with peers, and less likely to engage in rough play.” -- (The journal Science, September 29, 2006, “The Early Years: Evaluating Montessori Education,” Lillard and Else-Quest.)

A child’s early years – from birth to six – are the period when he or she has the greatest capacity to learn, and the greatest appetite for knowledge. It is what we, as adults, do during these critical years that lays the foundations for all of their future learning, for their sense of themselves, their confidence, self-esteem, respect and interest in the people and world around them – truly we are educating them for life.

Our teachers are degree-educated and Montessori certified. We are members of the American Montessori Society and follow its guidelines as a basis for our program.