Town program to act as feeder for upcoming Manzanita
With the conditional approval of Manzanita Montessori to open in Windsor in the fall of 2015, parents in the Windsor community are expressing continued interest in the alternative teaching practices that Montessori education affords.
Two days a week, Windsor’s Huerta Gymnasium is transformed into a Montessori-style teaching center for children between 3 and 5 years old. In the “Montessori in Motion” early childhood education program, offered through the Town of Windsor, children are encouraged to learn through individualized learning paths.
Lead teacher Michelle Vassallo, who founded Montessori in Motion about nine years ago, along with teachers Diana Amaya and Denise Steele, guide children through circle time and small group table activities, as they learn letters and sounds, days of the week, counting and fine motor skills. During table activities, the children can move from an arts and crafts table to a water pouring station, and visit a carpeted picture book area with a couch.
Montessori also supplements its education with special seasonal themes, such as a “family” theme in practice this fall, as well as Spanish language education, including a Spanish Circle held prior to the end of each five-hour program.
According to Vassallo, the Montessori philosophy works to create a sense of community among children of mixed ages. “The children learn from each other and basically we don’t look at where they are chronologically, we look at where they are developmentally,” she said. “And so we can work with them individually and in small groups, giving lessons based upon that.”
Windsor resident Erin Hayes’ 4-year-old twins Dylan and Savannah have taken to the program, and spent two years in a similar early education class called “I Can Do It Myself” prior to enrolling in Montessori in Motion.
“I like the fact that they get to explore their environment,” Hayes said. “They are allowed to focus on what interests them. My daughter, she’s very creative – she loves doing her art projects. My son is more kind of analytical. He likes playing with toys maybe a little bit more, and the Montessori program gives them the freedom to be able to learn in the way that comes naturally to them.”
Windsor resident Samatha Schwartz also has a 4-year-old son enrolled in the program, named Asher, who she said is an independent learner and benefits from Montessori-style education.
“He’s very smart but he’s so outgoing that the thought of him sitting still – I mean, we just didn’t think it was possible,” she said. “So in learning about the mission of the Montessori program and what they stand for, we just knew if anything that that would be a great place to start for him and see how it went.”
Schwartz said her son has since excelled in the program. “He’s always excited when he comes home. Just the fact that this type of program gives him different options. It’s not so rigid… They just give them the freedom to learn in their own style.”
Both Schwartz and Hayes expressed excitement about the upcoming addition of Manzanita Montessori to the school district, which will allow their children to continue in Montessori-based education as they continue to grow. “I think it’s just a really good fit for [Dylan and Savannah],” Hayes said, “and I think they’ve really benefitted from it. So we’re just really excited about the fact that it got approved.”
According to Vassallo and Recreation Program Supervisor Cindy Bagley, Montessori in Motion is advocating for Manzanita Montessori. “We’ll obviously be a feeder program to them and recommending that potential educational avenue for parents who want to continue Montessori,” Vassallo said.
Montessori in Motion runs two days a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Classes consist of around 18 students, ages 3 to 5. Those interested in more information about early childhood education programs can call 838-1260.
