Extra curricular activities in a Montessori kindergarten
Extracurricular activities - a hot topic of modern parenting. Little - bad, you neglect the children, they waste priceless cas! A lot - bad, these poor children have no time to live, they are overworked, it's just a sick ambition of parents! Just right: how much is „just right” and is it the same for each child?
Additional activities in the kindergarten
We know from experience that the so-called extra classes can arouse heated emotions already in parents of 2-3 year olds. Opinions are extreme, and we try to reconcile the contradictions and bring some common sense to this topic. In a Montessori preschool, there may not be such afternoon activities to develop passions in general, but there may be carefully selected activities conducted in accordance with Montessori pedagogy by trainers and teachers who understand our philosophy. These types of activities can be a natural extension of the children's daily activities in kindergarten and serve their development. Some children have so much energy that additional activities that intensely occupy their bodies and heads are salutary for them.
There are also those children who are tired after a whole day at kindergarten and the best thing for them is to lie down with a book on the carpet, take a nap or play quietly with a friend. So our advice is simple: check what works for your child and choose one-two extracurricular activities to start with, or give them up altogether. Check again in a few months, because maybe there's a surplus of energy or a new interest worth supporting? Or maybe it's just worth giving up something and freeing up time for doing nothing?
Why do extra-curricular activities in a Montessori preschool?
We have English all day long, with us language learning is not 15-minute games once a week. So why the extra small group classes or scientific games in English? Such classes are for children who show a keen interest in a foreign language or who need more individual attention from the teacher in order to flourish linguistically. For some, they are superfluous, while others will give incredible motivation for development.
We move a lot, go outside every day, have gymnastics and rhythmics. So, does the child need additional sports activities with ball, karate or yoga? Again - it depends on the child, but as a general rule, in the case of modern children, the more movement the better. Here it's hard to overdo it, if we're talking about recreational, non-competitive activities.
Theater classes, art combined with listening to classical music, chess, learning to play an instrument or calligraphy, on the other hand, are suggestions for children who show interest in a particular art or activity. There are some children who will function very well, going to almost all additional activities (and we know some who move on after kindergarten and still have plenty of energy!), but there are also quite a few who no longer need additional challenges and stimuli.
We know each child who attends our preschool well, and we usually know if a particular activity will be beneficial for that particular child. We are happy to advise you if you would like.
Extra-curricular activities vs. comprehensive child development
Extra-curricular activities such as music, art, sports or science classes can play an important role in developing children's creative abilities, critical thinking or social skills. Well, and they allow them to feel competent in a certain field, proud of their achievements, develop passions. But again - it is worth checking with your child whether he needs more or less stimulation at a given stage. Whether he is rather bored or overstimulated. And adjust our decisions related to the choice of additional activities to this diagnosis.
Additional activities at ItsyBitsy preschool
The advantage of offering extracurricular activities at the child's home institution is certainly convenience and time savings. Driving a child in afternoon Warsaw traffic jams to classes at locations even a few kilometers away may be too much of a logistical challenge for many families. It would also be a heavy physical burden on the child. But that's not the only advantage. When you decide on a Montessori facility, you have the right to expect that the extra-curricular activities will also be conducted according to our approach and educational model. We know our trainers, we have been working with many for very many years. And they know our specifics, respect them and do not use methods that we do not accept.
For years, our preschool has offered a similar range of extra-curricular activities. Our regular repertoire includes dynamic ball sports (Kangaroo Team), yoga for children, karate, Science in English and small group language classes, as well as calligraphy, Melodies and Colors (artwork combined with immersion in classical music), theater and music classes.
Children who need it can benefit from TUS therapy (conducted in accordance with Montessori pedagogy), speech therapy, psychological therapy or pedagogical therapy.
Music and art classes at ItsyBitsy preschool
Music and art play a key role in the development of children. Such activities not only develop imagination, but also help express emotions. Through creating and exploring various art forms, children learn how to express themselves, develop sensitivity and creativity. Such activities are the foundation for building healthy self-esteem and encourage children to explore their artistic talents. Consider them if your child shows a shoestring interest in drawing or music. If you don't notice such passions, the art classes that are in the regular preschool program are completely sufficient for him!
Sports and movement activities - physical development of children
Physical activity is an extremely important part of a child's healthy development, of this we have no doubt. Sports activities help form healthy habits and improve motor coordination, respiratory and circulatory fitness, and support brain development. Children have the opportunity to develop their physical fitness in a fun atmosphere, which at the same time promotes the development of social skills. Movement is built into our day at the kindergarten, children are not forced to sit, but if your child has a great need for movement, you may want to consider choosing any of our sports extra-curricular activities.
Foreign languages in Montessori - why are they important?
At ItsyBitsy preschool, we understand the importance of language learning from an early age. Learning languages supports children's communicative and cognitive development, and opens the door to understanding different cultures. Intentional bilingualism is one of the pillars of our activity. Introducing a child to the world of foreign languages at preschool age promotes the development of language skills in a natural and unforced way. By choosing our preschool, you are choosing intensive English learning for your children. If you feel that a little more English wouldn't hurt, consider small-group English classes or English experiments with Andrew. Remember - it's your decision, and we can support you in identifying your child's needs. We will never urge you to take a class if we think your child rather needs rest and quiet.
How do extra-curricular activities support a child's development?
At ItsyBitsy Preschool, we believe that every child has unique talents and aptitudes that are worth nurturing. Extra-curricular activities are one strategy to support children's individual development, allowing them to pursue their passions and develop their strengths in a safe and supportive environment. But we urge common sense and to be guided by the young person's abilities. If your child were to spend an afternoon in front of a screen, we encourage you to consider enrolling him or her in an extra-curricular activity of your choice. If, on the other hand, he were to spend that time walking with mom in the park or playing with plasticine with grandma - our suggestion would be to choose family options.
Summary
Extra curricular activities, as the name suggests, are an additional developmental option for children. They are not mandatory, not every child likes them and not every child needs to attend them. They are definitely worth considering if your child has specific interests, shows some talent (artistic, musical, linguistic...) or has a lot of energy that needs to be managed wisely. Our palette of extracurricular activities is so varied that every preschooler will find something of value. We are always happy to advise what, in the case of a particular child, is worthy of examination and attention. Feel free to contact us, we will be happy to answer all your questions.
