It’s the time of year when our Casa students begin the exciting transition into the Kendalwood Elementary Program. In line with the Montessori Method, the new classroom is introduced to our up-and-coming Elementary students in a well-planned and orderly way. Keeping in mind that children at this age have a very familiar and secure school setting where they have grown over the previous three years with a consistent environment and educator, it is important to provide an early introduction and a slow transition period.

Our Casa students moving up to Elementary begin to visit their new environment every June in anticipation of full immersion in September. The Casa child is moving from an environment where they are the eldest and well versed in acting as a role model, into a classroom environment where they are now the youngest and least experienced. This can be a big adjustment and a slow transition ensures students are eased into the Elementary program at a pace that respects their developmental stage. Children have the opportunity to begin new or develop deeper relationships with current elementary students who will be their peers and role models in the upcoming year. Similarly, children can begin to form bonds of trust with their new teachers.

The transition phase provides practical insight into how the Elementary classroom differs from their Casa experience, specifically how their development will shift from home based learning to broader world based learning. Casa students discover the classroom schedule and routines, minimizing any potential for fear or anxiety due to a sense of the unknown.

Early introduction to the Elementary classroom enables students to observe what their work and materials will look like in September. Teachers use the transition period as an opportunity to begin learning more about their new students, gaining insight as to their individual needs and current academic level. As a result, productive learning can begin right at the beginning of the new school year in September.

The slow transition for 6 -7 year old students into this critical next phase of their education is a wonderful advantage of Montessori education. A carefully planned transition from Montessori Casa to Elementary sets students up for individual success during a period of significant change. The gentle classroom changeover, a chance to develop critical relationships and a long term view individual needs makes Montessori a great choice for the Elementary years!

 

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Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School is Durham Region’s first fully accredited Montessori school. At Kendalwood, we believe that our job is to inspire children to become the best students they can be. With a curriculum that focuses on developing the intellect as well as nurturing self-esteem, academics are taught, curiosity is cultivated and respect is fostered. Our approach creates an environment where students flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Over the last few years, Kendalwood Montessori has gone through tremendous growth and development, both as a school and as an extended family. We are very proud of what we have accomplished together! Our daily efforts to provide an authentic Montessori education to our students inspire us as teachers and as parents. Over the last year, our guiding purpose has been further fuelled with the energy of our campus expansion, the addition of new students and families and increasing awareness of our school in Whitby and greater Durham Region.  It has been an amazing time!

As our school has grown over the last year, we have also experienced a baby boom within our school community. At this time, we have 14 staff children attending Kendalwood from Infant through Renaissance, and there are several new additions on the way! We just love that our Montessori community is enriched with numerous parent and child relationships.

This growth and development extends to the career development of our faculty and staff. They are able to take on new opportunities and expand their Montessori practice through a wider range of experiences within the school as others take time off to be at home with their growing families. Continuity is important, so we always look for ways to ensure our students are able to expand their network of teachers who they trust and rely on in their growth and development. When new parents return to us following a Maternity leave, the Kendalwood community enjoys a happy reunion and often, a new friend joins our Infant program! New connections remain and familiar relationships are rekindled.

Kendalwood Families

Janis Koenders,  Principal – son in PreCasa and a new baby due this spring!

Elena Chavez, Toddler Directress – two sons in Casa & Lower Elementary

Holly Fernandez, Toddler Directress – daughter in PreCasa

Kelly Appleton, PreCasa Directress – daughter in Toddler

Rosie Borges, French Directress – son in Renaissance

Jane Dajka, Kitchen/Aftercare Support Staff – daughter in Renaissance

Stephanie Marchment, Casa Assistant & Co-ordinator – two sons in Toddler & Lower Elementary

Kate Scotland, Casa Directress – daughter in PreCasa and a new baby due this fall!

Terri Jennings, Casa Directress – two sons in Casa & Lower Elementary

Elisa Sammy, Upper Elementary Directress – son in Infant after recently returning from Maternity Leave

Christine Lauzon, on Maternity Leave – daughter in Toddler and currently awaiting the arrival of her second child due this month!

Kevin Kerr & Lisa Jobe, Ownership Team – son and daughter in Renaissance & Upper Elementary

 

At Kendalwood, we think of ourselves as a Montessori Community and bringing our own children to school with us is a true testament to our philosophy. We have shared our thoughts on the importance of a strong sense of community in Montessori education many times because we feel a supportive community helps students develop confidence as they stretch themselves in new ways, knowing that their Kendalwood family is there to provide guidance both academically and emotionally.

We are looking ahead with much enthusiasm to the joy of new babies and the further expansion to our school community, both as a family and as educators. Congratulations to everyone experiencing growth and development, in one form or another!

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Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School is Durham Region’s first fully accredited Montessori school. At Kendalwood, we believe that our job is to inspire children to become the best students they can be. With a curriculum that focuses on developing the intellect as well as nurturing self-esteem, academics are taught, curiosity is cultivated and respect is fostered. Our approach creates an environment where students flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning.

 

Would you recognize a Montessori student amongst a group of school aged children? At work or play, students brought up through the Montessori Method tend to exhibit a number of definitive traits, making them easy to spot. These skills and behaviours are quickly recognizable by teachers in a classroom environment.

We recently spoke with a number of Elementary School teachers and asked them if they can tell when a former Montessori student joins their classroom. Here’s what they had to say!

SHARED TRAITS OF MONTESSORI STUDENTS 

Time Management Skills – Montessori students are observed as being consistently able to manage due dates, meet timelines and manage their work time in class efficiently.

Order & Organization – Children coming from a Montessori background have a noticeable respect for their environment: their belongings, the belongings of their classmates, as well as the classroom in general. They demonstrate a strong sense of order, willingly returning items to their proper place without prompting or reminders from the teacher.

“… nature endows a child with a sensitiveness to order. It is a kind of inner sense that distinguishes the relationships between various objects rather than the objects themselves. … Such an environment provides the foundation for an integrated life.” – Maria Montessori

Problem Solving Skills – Montessori students tend to be tremendously resourceful. They seek solutions on their own as a first step, and if they are unable to solve a problem independently they have the confidence and desire to ask a teacher for help. These students feel it is important to find a solution and seldom give up or concede unless they have exhausted all resources.

Life Skills – The whole child approach of Montessori education is evident in the self-advocacy and self-regulation observed in students. These children are well equipped to to resolve conflicts with their classmates, as they are able to verbalize their needs and use expressive language to aid understanding. They also know when they need to escalate and ask for help from an adult or teacher.

An early start in a Montessori environment provides students with long- lasting benefits that help them along their educational path, and eventually in their lives and careers as adults.  While not all students are able to remain in a Montessori classroom for the duration of their Casa and/or Elementary education, parents choosing Montessori for the early years should feel confident that the skills and traits gained during this influential time period will remain with their child for many years to come.

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Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School is Durham Region’s first fully accredited Montessori school. At Kendalwood, we believe that our job is to inspire children to become the best students they can be. With a curriculum that focuses on developing the intellect as well as nurturing self-esteem, academics are taught, curiosity is cultivated and respect is fostered. Our approach creates an environment where students flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning.