Introducing the Sunshine Montessori Co–op, a different kind of learning

May 1, 2014 · 0 Comments

Every Tuesday, at Soaring Heart Wellness located at 116 Main St. in Shelburne, the new Sunshine Montessori Co-op will be conducting classes instructed by, Angela Lloyd, who holds a fully accredited Montessori teacher diploma and CPR/First Aid.

In keeping with the Montessori philosophy, Lloyd explained, “The Sunshine Montessori Co-op believes that a cooperative approach to learning allows parents to see, observe an understand how their children grasp learning concepts because it’s a philosophy of learning that encompasses the whole child emotionally, physically, and mentally.”

Lloyd further explained, “Parents will find many comparable features to public school such as a variety of learning opportunities, unstructured playtime, art applications, and circle time. Maria Montessori, founder of the Montessori Method (1870–1952) understood that children learn by “doing” and that free will to choose work allows for a greater concentration. Children 2 ½ to 6 years of age learn through activities that involve exploration, manipulations, order and repetition.”

According to Lloyd, learning standards meet and exceed the Ontario Curriculum and students who enter grade one or Kindergarten, find themselves confident as their independence has been encouraged, respected and supported at a very young age. “Montessori students are used to working, playing, and helping their peers. The multi- aged classroom for children2 ½ through 6 years of age allows younger children to observe older children as well as the older children re-enforcing their learned skills by helping their younger peers,” Lloyd explained.

The Montessori Co-op is the first of its kind in Dufferin and the surrounding area. According to Lloyd, her program is unique in the way that her program includes parents and their children learning together.

Another advantage to learning with your child cooperatively is an accurate account of how your child spent their day as Lloyd reveals, “Young developing minds live in the moment as their sense of time is still developing until well past the age of six and most often parents who bring their children to daycare with high hopes of hearing what their child did during the day only hear very few details.”

“It’s a great community program that provides a concrete foundation for learning as well as how to incorporate practices at home without tuition fees or long term commitments,” Lloyd commented.

As a program overview and further knowledge on support material Lloyd includes Maria Montessori’s published reading lists as well as helpful tips to incorporate at home. Classes will be held April 15th – June 3, (8 weeks per session) and September 9th to October 28th, at the affordable cost of a $40 deposit and $20 per week.

For more information, contact Montessori Teacher, Angela Lloyd of the new and wonderful Sunshine Montessori Co-op at 705-434-7409 or email arlloyd007@gmail.com “Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” – Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

By Alex Sher