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Eden Prairie Montessori

The First Five Years Last a Lifetime

You will never feel greater love than what you feel for your child. You will serve no higher duty than taking care of them. Helping them to become a happy, healthy adult is the greatest gift you will ever give. Your child is everything. 

We can all agree on these things – but how do you choose the right daycare for your young one to grow in? You don’t want so many precious moments of their life wasted in an understimulating environment. You want to give them every advantage you can, as early as you can. This is Eden Prairie Montessori’s purpose.

The Montessori Method of Education is nothing new. It was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, who graduated from the University of Rome in 1896. Dr. Montessori spent her career working with children, whom she came to view as naturally eager to learn and best able to do so in an encouraging yet carefully prepared environment.

Dr. Montessori’s method blends children of different ages together, provides them with choices as to how they may spend their time, and places a higher value on working with materials than instruction from an adult. At its core, the Montessori Method of Education grants a child a reasonable amount of freedom and lets their curiosity take care of the rest. 

American educators have embraced the Montessori Method of Education for over 100 years. Many daycares across the country offer it, but none are closer to you than Eden Prairie Montessori. Managing your schedule around their two locations in the north and south parts of town is extremely convenient.

“I grew up with four siblings, three of them younger brothers,” said Shonali Harrison, director of Eden Prairie Montessori. “Even at an early age I was very fond of teaching them. They were like sponges, the way that they learned. As a girl I always admired my teachers, my father most of all, so I tried to mimic them. When I grew older I read Dr. Montessori’s theories, all of which resonated with me. I became excited to help children learn how to succeed in their everyday lives just by showing them how to do things!

“After all this time, that is still my greatest reward for teaching at Eden Prairie Montessori. Seeing a child’s reaction when they pass a major milestone – it always amazes me. I’m smiling just as much as they are.

“Human beings are not just visual learners. We like to use all of our senses to understand our surroundings, especially at a young age. That’s why Montessori educators call ourselves ‘presenters’ instead of teachers. When we show a child how to do something new, like opening a jar or cutting a piece of paper, we take special care to demonstrate all the movements clearly and in a way they can remember. Soon they will have practiced all the steps until they have a new skill for life.

“At their level of understanding, young children learn better from materials. A real, concrete thing presents a new concept to them much more effectively than a spoken lesson can. A single Montessori material might present the same information in several different ways, such as length, color, and tactile sensation, so the child can learn one concept several ways at once.

“The Montessori method places great value on children’s social interactions. We build on the ways their parents have modeled graciousness and courtesy, present how to be polite in social interactions, and demonstrate how to behave peacefully in general. When two children have a dispute over a toy, we give them the words they need to resolve it civilly.

“A daycare is always going to have a little bit of screaming from time to time. But even when a child is young as two years old, they still want to learn how to get what they want – or live without it, if that’s the case – without whining or crying. It’s astonishing how quickly children can learn to express their feelings with words instead of tantrums. 

“I believe one of our method’s greatest strengths is how it lets children learn from each other. Older children naturally want to take care of the younger ones, just like I did when I was little. Helping a younger friend read a story or pull a carrot of the ground fosters compassion and leadership. Looking up to an older friend teaches trust and respect. Children become surprisingly invested in one another’s well-being when they’re in a supportive environment.

“Our method recognizes that every child has different areas they can improve in. We give them freedom to enjoy their favorite activities, but also structure so they can master skills appropriate for their age. If that is something as simple as buttoning a shirt, they will enjoy the gentle push they’re given to do it on their own.

“We like children to take their time getting familiar in their new surroundings. Orientation takes three days, after which the child becomes comfortable when they’re apart from mom and dad. We encourage children to bring framed photos of their families, so daycare feels more like an extension of their home life rather than time away from it. We also encourage parents to mention our presenters while they’re at home. Hearing their mother say ‘Oh, you’re going to go and see Miss Anne today! Maybe Miss Anne will read you a story today?’ shows a child that she trusts Miss Anne, so it’s safe for them to trust her as well.

“Parents learn just like their children do: by seeing and by doing. That’s why we welcome interested families to visit Eden Prairie Montessori while school is in session. Observing our beautiful school, our fun playground, our happy children and their proud presenters – it’s the best way to see what we do!”

If your child is ready to start becoming the best person they can be, you are welcome to schedule a tour of Eden Prairie Montessori with Shonali at your side to answer any questions you might have. You can always reach her at (952) 944-8466 or info@epmontessori.net.

Eden Prairie Montessori offers two convenient locations at 7455 Market Place Drive and 8098 Glen Lane. You may learn more about them at edenprairiemontessori.com.

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