Montessori schools don't follow a traditional teaching model. These schools use child-focused learning in mixed-age classrooms. They promote independence in their children.

If you're looking at sending your child to a private kindergarten and have looked at local Montessori schools, then you might have noticed that these schools use a specialist teaching method in early years known as the 3-period lesson. How does this type of teaching work and what are its benefits?

What Is the 3-Period Lesson?

The 3-period lesson aims to teach younger children lessons clearly and simply. The premise here is that a child will understand and retain information more effectively if you split their learning development into three stages.

So, for example, let's say that a child is interested in learning about colors. Their teacher can use a 3-period process to help the child learn what they need to know. First, the teacher will name a color. So, if they are working on blue, they will show the child something that is naturally blue. They then tell the child that this color is blue. Next, the teacher will ask the child to find the color. So, the teacher might put different colored blocks in a tray and ask the child to pick out the blue one. Finally, the teacher will subtly test the child's recall. They might use the box full of colored blocks again. This time, the teacher picks out the blue block and asks the child what color it is.

What Are the Benefits of 3-Period Lessons?

3-period lessons are typically most effective for younger children. They are often used at the kindergarten level because they teach lessons and impart information in a simple and structured way.

Children respond well to this kind of staged informational teaching because they don't feel under pressure. They learn quickly that they can learn new things through a show-tell-recall process. The things they learn are more likely to stick in their brains because they use an ordered and logical progression to learn. Also, teachers can easily monitor how well a child understands the information that they want to learn. If a child gets stuck between any of the three stages, then the teacher can simply repeat previous stages. The child doesn't feel under pressure to perform. They will eventually move through to the final recall stage.

To find out more about 3-period lessons and other Montessori techniques, contact a local private kindergarten and arrange a visit.