Help! My Child is Crying When We Come to School.

As loving parents we are excited for our children to come to school and we are worried when they cry, complain and are upset when they arrive at AMCS.

Understand that this is very normal behavior.  Here are some tips that will help you and your child make this transition more easily.  

First of all, our teachers are prepared and knowledgeable in assisting children who are upset.  We reassure them that their family will be back and that we understand they are sad.  Then we help the child to become interested in some activities in the classroom.  Usually it only takes a little while for an activity to catch their interest.  The other children are quick to help comfort your child.

At home you can help your child by talking to them about how the day will go.  Assure them that you will be back after school and will be happy to see them.  It is important to recognize their feelings.  For example, telling the child not to cry will usually make things worse.  Try instead to say things like "I see that you are sad."  or "It's hard to leave mom (or dad), isn't it?"  When the child knows you understand it is very helpful. 

Of course we feel some anxiety ourselves, so dealing with our own feelings so that the child doesn't pick up on our worries will make things easier.  

 Try not to ask a lot of questions about their day.  One way to encourage sharing is to begin by telling your child about your day.  Did you enjoy your work?  Perhaps you spent some time with a friend or relative.  It is fine to say how happy you are to see your son or daughter, however telling them you were sad and missed them terribly can create guilty feelings and an increased desire to not go to school.  I remember my son's first day at Montessori.  He was three.  This was the first time he had been away all day and I was worried and a bit sad.  As John was getting out of car he turned, waved and said "Don't worry Mom, I'll be fine"  Sometimes our children pick up on our anxiety!

 Make some plans for after school:  a trip to the library or the park. Read a special book or just go for a walk together.  And remember.....this period will pass and school will become the happy place you are wanting for your student.  

Why Montessori

Why Montessori?

Montessori…your children have the benefit of a free public charter school that provides the lifelong benefits of this unique and proven method.  Montessori gives students a love of learning, a deep understanding of science, math and language, the ability to discover and invent and a strong level of confidence and self control.

Here are some facts that will show why Montessori is the best possible education for your child and the importance of completing the primary, lower elementary and upper elementary years at AMCS. 

The primary classroom:  ages 3-6 years

Primary students stay with the same classmates and teacher for three years.  During this time the teacher develops a deep understanding of the students, how they learn and what their interests are.  The children form strong friendships that sometimes last a lifetime.  With each year the children become more confident, self motivated and eager to learn.  The third year is the most important of all.  Much of the work is completed in that last year.  Math and language lessons culminate in a real exploration built on the previous years.  Each student becomes a leader of the class, helping the younger students and building confidence in their ability to solve problems and be independent.  Each student progresses at his or her own pace with the teacher keeping careful records of which lessons have been mastered.  This allows the students to deeply explore areas of interest while ensuring all of the necessary work is completed.  The curriculum includes practical life, music, geography art, science, botany, cultural studies, sensorial work which is pre-math, language development, including reading and writing, math, using the concrete materials to explore numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as well as basic solid and plane geometric figures.  Each day there is opportunity for new adventures in this rich world of learning.

The Elementary Classroom:

Divided into lower elementary (ages 6-9) and upper elementary (ages 9-11) this is the time for the student to use the skills and knowledge from the primary classroom to move into deeper study of the world and academics.  This age child loves to work in groups, to explore facts and information, to categorize and work extensively in all areas.  The materials are comprehensive and exciting, giving the children keys to the history of our earth and people.  Books from our large library encourage exploration of their interests.  Again, the students stay with the same teachers and classmates which provides a deep understanding of each child and builds strong bonds.  The teacher can truly develop a strategy to maximize each student’s potential, guiding them through the lesson plans which are made collaboratively and with an individualized understanding every child.  A true knowledge of how to work together, to solve problems and to concentrate and focus develops because of the unique nature of the curriculum, the attention of the carefully trained teachers and the natural interest of the students in their work. 

The Adolescent community (ages 12-14) provides these young people opportunities to expand their earlier experience by creating viable projects which utilize all of the skills they have learned from their Montessori education.  They collaborate on serious activities which  benefit others, taking full charge of costs, solving problems and planning.  Each day math, science, history, technology, music, art and language expand their understanding of the world and each other.  Lasting friendships are formed with the experienced and understanding teachers who guide and encourage each step of the way to becoming an intelligent, hard-working and caring young adults.  As they go on to high school and college all of this preparation and knowledge forms a solid base for success and continued learning with joy.  

Only with the full experience of the primary,  elementary  and adolescent classes can the true power of Montessori be obtained.   Giving your children this amazing opportunity to grow, learn and start on a lifetime of learning is a great gift. 

Our teachers and administrators form a deep bond with the AMCS families; united in our common goal of having each child reach his or her academic, social and personal potential.  We are truly a team united for the development of the future leaders of our community and world and in the pursuit of joyful lifelong learning.