Letter: Montessori has long-term pluses

To the Editor:

I was in the audience Jan. 22 for the excellent presentation by Dr. Steven Hughes about the possibility of a Montessori preschool in Red Wing. One of the questions asked by a School Board member was whether or not this new learning environment could make a significant difference if a child went back at the end of the day to a life of abuse, poverty, trauma, indifference or chaos.

From a developmental perspective, the answer is absolutely.

The Montessori Method is such a rich, stimulating and “hands on” environment, children bond with the environment. Children learn to self-regulate: to do the harder thing and gain impulse control. And, children learn to master a variety of life skills.

From the perspective of “human” development, the ability to attach to others, learn self-control and master skills, sets the stage for a future that is filled with possibilities, rather than a future that is impossible.

Linda Flanders

Bay City

Tags: opinion, letter, linda, flanders, montessori