Barat Montessori - Serving children ages 2.9 through 6 since 1974
About Barat Montessori
     
 

Barat Montessori has been serving preschool children ages two years, 9 months through age six under the direction of its founder, Susan Haigney since 1974. We offer a 5-day/week and a 3-day/week program. (Please see the Program Schedules section of this website for more details.)

 
 

If you are just exploring Montessori education for the first time, we encourage you to view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of this website. There you'll find detailed information about the theory and a description of the way we interpret Montessori practice at Barat.

 
 
There is no single governing association that oversees all Montessori schools, but nearly all Montessori Schools (including Barat) share some fundamental similarities. For instance, most Montessori preschools:
  
 
(1)

Mix age groups (typically ages 3 through 6);

(2)
Structure learning around a child-centered, “prepared” environment in which students work independently and follow their own path through the three-year curriculum;
(3)

Recognize that children between birth and age 6 are like little sponges—they absorb information from their environments at an incredible rate;

(4)

Are stocked with materials that are often considered sophisticated by traditional preschool standards;

(5)

Allow a certain amount of child-directed work;
(6)

Focus on individual progress and development;
(7)

Emphasize grace and courtesy; and
(8)

Believe in the child's ability to perform many self-care skills and to be a useful member of his/her family and community.

 
 
That said, no two Montessori schools look exactly alike. In fact, Montessori schools can differ quite a bit in character, atmosphere and philosophy. At Barat, we believe that Maria Montessori never intended her method to be implemented in a rigid or overly-restrictive way. Children should feel happy, comfortable and relaxed while working. On the other hand, even the best Montessori materials can be ineffective if insufficient guidance or direction is given. Overly permissive environments don't provide boundaries necessary to healthy growth and development.
 
 
We strive for a balance between disciplined learning and fun. Individual quiet work is an important part of our day, but it is balanced with large group social activities such as recess, snack time and a short “choice time” during which children may choose to play with their friends using wooden toys or our open art center. Children in Montessori schools “work” hard—we believe they should also play hard!
 
 
In addition, many of our students will eventually go on to non-Montessori schools. We feel it is our responsibility to prepare them for those environments by offering exposure to occasional large group activities and special projects. We also feel it appropriate to help young children learn to negotiate group activities such as group instruction, recess, circle time, story time or other “traditional” school experiences where independent work is not occurring.
 
 
At Barat, all teachers are Montessori certified and hold licenses from the State of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (formerly OCCS). There are several excellent teacher-training programs throughout the world that offer teacher certification. While there is much debate within the Montessori community about which is the “best” approach, we think each has something important to offer. We are pleased that our teachers hold certifications from many of the most highly regarded centers including Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), American Montessori Society (AMS), The Pan American Montessori Society, and the North American Montessori Teacher Training Center (NAMC).
 

The best way to learn about Barat Montessori is to visit us. Call (508) 655-5742 to make an appointment.

 
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