The choice between a Montessori school and a regular preschool depends on your child’s personality, learning style, and your family’s educational goals. 

Teaching Approach:

– Montessori preschools are Child-led, with teachers serving as guides who observe and facilitate learning based on the child’s interests.

– Regular preschools are Teacher-led, with structured lessons and group activities that follow a fixed curriculum.

Classroom Environment:

– Montessori classrooms are organized with carefully curated materials designed to support hands-on learning. Providing a calm, orderly, and independent environment.

– Regular preschools often have a mix of toys, art supplies, and educational tools with a more play-focused or entertainment-driven atmosphere.

Curriculum Structure:

-Montessori preschools have flexible, individualized curriculum tailored to your child’s developmental stage, emphasizing practical life skills, sensory activities, and academic foundations.

-Regular preschools follow a standardized curriculum with a focus on group instruction, often centered around themes, play, and socialization.

Role of the Teacher:

– Montessori teachers observe and guide, allowing children to discover and learn at their own pace.

-Regular preschool teachers actively direct and lead activities, often following a set lesson plan for the entire class.

Age Groups:

– Montessori preschools have multi-age classrooms that encourage peer learning and mentorship among students.

– Regular preschools typically group children by single age levels, with minimal age mixing.

Development Focus:

– Montessori preschools emphasize holistic development, including cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth, to foster independence and intrinsic motivation.

– Regular preschools focus more on socialization and preparing children for kindergarten through structured group activities.

Enrolling your child in one of the Pre-K programs at any of the three Manor School locations in Virginia Beach will give them the skills and tools they need to continue their education. Here are some of the key benefits of our preschool programs.

• Child-Focused Learning – Curriculums tailored to the individual interests and developmental pace of your child. 
• Hands-On Activities – Classrooms feature specially designed materials that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and sensory engagement.
• Multi-Age Classmates – Children of different ages (typically a three-year age span) learning together, fostering social interactions and collaboration.
• Life Skills Education – Emphasizing practical life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and social interaction.
• Uninterrupted Work Periods – Long, uninterrupted blocks of time to engage deeply with their chosen activities.
• Freedom Within Limits – Your child will have the freedom to choose their activities balanced with clear guidelines to foster responsibility and self-discipline.