August 21, 2024
Advice corner for parents

What are the characteristics of a Montessori-style bilingual preschool?

...Montessori bilingual kindergarten is a unique combination of two proven educational approaches that support a child's comprehensive development. A bilingual preschool is one in which children are immersed in two languages (native and foreign). This has numerous benefits for their cognitive and social development. For more than 100 years, the Montessori method has fostered the academic, emotional and social development of children who are fortunate enough to end up in the facilities of this educational trend. How do these two approaches combine in practice and what benefits do they bring to children?

Table of contents

Montessori method

The Montessori Method is a fully scientific pedagogical system based on the decades-long work of Dr. Maria Montessori. She was an Italian physician, anthropologist and pedagogue who developed her methods based on her own long-standing research into child development and drew on the achievements of such psychological and pedagogical greats as Piaget and Froebel.

The pillars of Montessori education include:

Respect for the child. The Montessori philosophy is derived from a deep respect for children. This means respecting the uniqueness of each child, his or her freedom to make choices, to move freely, to correct their own mistakes and to work at their own pace. Montessori teachers work and interact with children with genuine respect.
A receptive mind. Maria Montessori was one of the first to point out that the first six years of life are not any „dark” period that a child will not remember anyway, but quite the opposite. It is a crucial time in human development, when a person's personality is formed and abilities blossom. She called this stage the „receptive mind” to reflect the child's ability to absorb information from the environment like a sponge. During this time, children quickly develop an understanding of their culture and the world, and build the foundations of intelligence and personality. But also, let's not forget, they have a remarkable ability to acquire a language or languages, as long as they have constant contact with them.
Sensitive periods. Dr. Maria Montessori observed that children go through specific stages in their development when they are most capable of acquiring certain competencies. She called these stages „sensitive periods,” or „developmental windows.” The period of 0-6 years is entirely a sensitive period for the acquisition and expansion of language competence. At the same time, it does not have to be only one language. A child is organically, effortlessly able to master two or three languages if he or she is immersed in them, that is, has frequent, intense and repeated contact with them in natural situations.

Montessori bilingual kindergarten - how does it work?

Combining dual-language learning with the Montessori method involves taking advantage of children's innate curiosity and eagerness to learn, as well as their natural, biological conditioning to absorb languages in early childhood. In practice, this means that children learn in an immersive way, that is, by being immersed in languages. At Montessori ItsyBitsy preschool, children are under the care of Polish-speaking teachers and those who speak only English. Our English-speaking teachers are native speakers of the language or bilinguals with high linguistic and pedagogical competence.

A bilingual kindergarten is able to provide children with similar linguistic stimulation that occurs naturally in blended families, in which each parent communicates with the child in his or her native language.

Examples of language activities in a bilingual kindergarten

Daily language interactions in English. This is the most natural way for young children to absorb language. Children quickly learn that with specific people in the group they are unable to communicate in their native language (with the English-speaking teacher and with children in the group who do not speak Polish). The desire to communicate, play together or even take part in interesting activities makes their motivation to communicate in a foreign language great. The repetitiveness of situations in the kindergarten makes them able to quickly connect activities and phenomena with statements in English. They learn the language naturally, effortlessly, in the most age-appropriate way.
Thematic activities and circles in English. Children regularly participate in activities that are conducted in English. These can be art workshops, science experiments or circle meetings where we discuss current affairs and introduce the current week's themes.
Montessori presentations in English. English-speaking teachers at our preschool also work with children with Montessori materials. This gives the child a chance to master a lot of developmental material (from the department of daily life, sensorimotor, mathematics or culture) in two languages throughout their stay at the preschool.
Reading books. Teachers read books to the children in both languages; older children are already doing it on their own.
Singing songs. Songs and rhymes in two languages help children remember new phrases and grammatical structures.
Movement games. Movement games and educational games conducted in two languages engage children, have a multi-sensory effect and facilitate learning.

Bilingualism at Montessori preschool ItsyBitsy

At Montessori ItsyBitsy preschool, bilingualism is realized through a carefully planned curriculum. Through the constant, all-day presence of teachers communicating exclusively in English. We work through language immersion, through Montessori language materials and work with them, and through a variety of activities in English.

We conclude that half-hour language classes once or twice a week are completely ineffective when it comes to young children learning a foreign language. Only constant and intensive contact with a foreign language and learning it in the context of everyday, repetitive situations gives a chance to master it early and build a solid foundation for further learning at the school stage.

Advantages of Montessori bilingual kindergarten

Attending a Montessori bilingual kindergarten has numerous benefits:

Language development. Children learn two languages in an organic way. This facilitates linguistic fluency .It also gives a naturalness of speaking both languages that is not possible in a monolingual environment.
Higher cognitive abilities. It is now believed that bilingualism or multilingualism has a positive impact on brain development, improving cognitive abilities in the long term.
Healthy self-esteem. Children learn to communicate freely in two languages. It gives them freedom of expression. It also gives them the feeling that they are citizens of the world, and can fully participate in modern culture, where knowledge of English is essential.
Social Skills. Group work and interaction with peers in two languages develop social skills. They also open children to the world and other cultures.

The role of teachers in a Montessori bilingual kindergarten

Teachers in a Montessori bilingual kindergarten play a key role. They are not only responsible for teaching, but also for observing and supporting each child.
Teacher qualifications:

Language proficiency. Teachers are fluent in English as their native or second language mastered at the C2 level.
Montessori Training. Teachers undergo specialized courses in the Montessori method, including teaching English in the Montessori method.
Methodological and language confirmation training. teachers are certified to teach English as a foreign language (such as CPE or TEFL or equivalent).

Challenges of Montessori bilingual kindergarten

The decision to enroll a child in a Montessori bilingual kindergarten may come with some challenges:

Adaptation. The initial difficulties of adapting to a bilingual environment can be a challenge for the child and parents. However, at our kindergarten, we have 9 years of experience in the effortless adaptation of children, both Polish-speaking and from very distant countries and different cultures. We can support you in this process and make adaptation a positive and developing experience.
Cultural differences. The introduction of two languages may involve understanding and accepting cultural differences. The child will come into contact with people from different cultures. In our experience, however, adults have more concerns in this regard. Young children, from the very beginning, brought up in kutur and ethnic diversity, take the differences between people for granted. Skin color, accent or customs quickly cease to be important factors in choosing playmates. What matters are qualities such as the ability to cooperate or common interests.
Exorbitant expectations for the child. Learning a language does not happen in a week or a month. Do not expect instant results. The child will first begin to understand a foreign language and this is the first, hugely important step in his development. However, active knowledge of the language and the ability to apply it in communication must wait patiently. Pressure from parents will not speed up this process, and may unnecessarily stress the child. We will keep you regularly informed of your child's progress. You yourself will also observe with joy his increasing educational achievements and emotional and social development.

Montessori bilingual kindergarten - summary

The Montessori bilingual preschool combines the advantages of bilingual education and the Montessori method to support the all-round development of the child. Individualized approach, unique developmental materials, emphasis on independence and bilingualism are the foundations that provide children with a solid foundation for further education and - above all - a healthy start in life and the realization of their unique potential. We invite you to contact us. Make an appointment and see if we are the right place for your child.