Maria Montessori believed that children should start developing critical social and academic skills as early as possible. Ideally, this means enrolling in a Montessori environment as an infant, but you can help her transition from home daycare to a Montessori preschool by preparing for the change before it happens.
Visit the School
Take your daughter with you on a visit to the Montessori preschool she will be attending. By introducing her to the teachers and other students before starting school you will remove most of the mystery and apprehension of new surroundings, and maybe give her a reason to look forward to the change.
Setting a Routine
For many children transitioning into Montessori preschool, the concept of a daily routine is new. You can reduce the stress of starting preschool by setting up a routine that includes such facets as morning preparations, naptimes, and picking up behind themselves.
Time Away From Home
Realizing that they have to spend time away from the familiar surroundings of home and parents can be traumatic. To make the transition easier, schedule playdates with other children and alternate watching over them with the other parents. The more comfortable your children are with leaving your presence, the easier going to preschool will be.
Practical Life Skills
Montessori preschools put a lot of emphasis on helping children do things for themselves. You can begin practicing some practical life skills long before starting daycare, including things like dressing herself, brushing her teeth, and using the restroom.
Language and Communication
Children will need to be able to express personal needs and other information when they start Montessori preschool. It is never too soon to begin learning language skills, and most experts believe that the process should begin as early as infancy.
The concept behind Montessori is that children are naturally inclined to want to learn new things. By providing the opportunity to learn and helping your child develop social and personal skills from an early age, the transition to the Montessori environment will be both painless and exciting for your child.