Question 1

More Than Letters and Numbers: A Mom Shares What Her Preschooler Learned

Accepted Answer

By My World Child Care Center and Montessori | June 23, 2026

As our graduates prepare for kindergarten, one parent recently reflected on her daughter's journey at My
World. Her story reminded us that preschool is about much more than letters and numbers.

More Than Academic Preparation

As educators, we are often asked what children learn in preschool. Parents want to know if their child will learn letters, numbers, reading, writing, and the skills needed to be successful in kindergarten.

These are important questions, and academic growth certainly takes place every day in our Montessori
classroom. However, some of the most meaningful lessons children learn cannot be measured by a
worksheet, a test, or a report card

Recently, a parent shared a conversation that deeply touched me and reminded me why early childhood education is about so much more than academics.

A Family's Journey and a Strong Classroom Community

Their family moved to New Jersey several years ago and enrolled their daughter at My World Child Care Center and Montessori.

Reflecting on their experience, the parent shared that joining our school was one of the best things that happened to their family after moving here. They spoke about the strong classroom community their daughter became a part of and the positive changes they have seen in her personality over the years.

One of the things they appreciated most was the sense of belonging their daughter found within her
classroom. She formed meaningful friendships, learned to work alongside children from different
backgrounds, and became part of a caring community that their family will deeply miss as graduation
approaches.

A Lesson Applied Beyond the Classroom

The parent then shared a recent experience involving their daughter.

During a conversation about differences between people, their daughter calmly responded,

"All people are the same. Our skin may be different, but we are all the same inside."

As her teacher, hearing those words brought me tremendous joy.

Earlier this year, our class read and discussed the book Children All Around the World. Through stories and conversations, the children explored the idea that although people may come from different countries, speak different languages, or have different appearances, we all share the same feelings, hopes, dreams, and needs.

What made this moment so meaningful was seeing a child take a lesson from the classroom and apply it thoughtfully to a real-life situation.

Children often absorb far more than we realize. They listen, observe, and gradually develop their understanding of the world around them. Watching a child demonstrate empathy, understanding, and respect for others is one of the greatest rewards of teaching.

Reading the World Around Her

The parent also shared examples of their daughter's academic growth through the Montessori approach to learning.

While many children are still recognizing letters and numbers, they have noticed their daughter reading words she encounters naturally in everyday life. She reads words printed on her father's T-shirts, signs she sees while traveling, and headings she notices around her.

Rather than simply memorizing letters, she has begun using reading as a tool to understand the world around her.

Understanding Mathematics Through Montessori

The parent also shared that her understanding of mathematics extends far beyond counting to one hundred.

Through hands-on Montessori experiences, she understands units, tens, hundreds, and thousands. More importantly, she understands the relationships between these quantities rather than simply memorizing number sequences.
This is one of the qualities I love most about Montessori education. Children are not taught merely to memorize information. They are given concrete experiences that help
them develop deep understanding and genuine curiosity. When that understanding begins to appear naturally in everyday life, meaningful learning has taken place.

Looking Ahead to Kindergarten

Perhaps the most touching part of our conversation came when the parent spoke about their daughter's upcoming transition to kindergarten. As graduation approaches and their daughter prepares to begin public school, the parent expressed both excitement and concern.

They are proud of the confident, thoughtful, caring, and capable young girl she has become. At the same time, they hope the positive growth they have witnessed continues as she moves on to the next chapter of her education. As educators, there is perhaps no greater compliment.

What Children Really Learn in Preschool

Our goal has never been simply to prepare children academically for kindergarten. We hope to help children become confident learners, compassionate friends, respectful community
members, and thoughtful human beings.

Academic skills open doors, but qualities such as kindness, empathy, confidence, independence, and respect help children thrive throughout their lives. As we celebrate another graduating class, we are proud of the reading, writing, and mathematical understanding our children have developed.

Just as importantly, we are proud of the character they have built, the friendships they have formed, and the values they carry with them. Moments like this remind us that some of the most important lessons children learn in preschool are the lessons they will carry for the rest of their lives.

Interested in Learning More?

If you would like to see how children develop confidence, independence, academic readiness, and a strong sense of community, we invite you to visit our classrooms and experience Montessori learning in action.

Book a Tour and Discover the My World Difference

At My World Child Care Center and Montessori, we believe children learn best through hands-on play experiences that support healthy brain development, creativity, communication, and social skills — principles also encouraged by trusted local pediatric providers such as Colonia Pediatrics

Book A Tour

Question 2

What Do Children Really Learn Through Play?

Accepted Answer

By My World Child Care Center and Montessori | May 12, 2026

In a Montessori preschool and early childhood education classroom for children ages 3–6 years, learning takes place through purposeful hands-on activities that engage the whole child. The classroom is thoughtfully divided into areas such as Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Social Studies, with each center carefully prepared to support a child’s developmental needs and natural curiosity.

The materials and activities in each area are designed to reflect the skills children already know while gently encouraging them to build new abilities and confidence. Children are not simply “playing” — they are developing concentration, coordination, independence, problem-solving skills, language development, mathematical thinking, and social awareness through meaningful work.

One of the most unique aspects of the Montessori preschool classroom is the uninterrupted 2½-hour work cycle. During this time, children are free to choose activities that interest them within the prepared learning environment. This freedom of choice encourages intrinsic motivation, independence, and a lifelong love for learning.

As children engage with materials at their own pace, Montessori teachers carefully observe, guide, and document each child’s progress. These observations help teachers adjust lesson plans and introduce new materials that support each child’s developmental readiness and kindergarten readiness skills.

Through purposeful play and exploration, children also develop important lifelong skills such as:

focus and concentration

working collaboratively with peers

following multi-step processes

responsibility and care for the environment

perseverance and problem-solving

confidence and independence

In Montessori education, play is not separate from learning — play is the pathway through which deep and meaningful learning happens. Our Montessori childcare and preschool program encourages children to become confident, capable, and joyful learners through hands-on exploration and meaningful experiences.

At My World Child Care Center and Montessori, we believe children learn best through hands-on play experiences that support healthy brain development, creativity, communication, and social skills — principles also encouraged by trusted local pediatric providers such as Colonia Pediatrics

Book A Tour

Question 3

How Does Silent Work Help Young Children Concentrate?

Accepted Answer

By My World Child Care Center and Montessori | May 19, 2026

At our Montessori preschool classroom, children learn about the human body throughout the year as part of our science curriculum. We begin by learning visible body parts and gradually move into understanding the organs, senses, breathing, movement, and what is inside our body.

Our Sensorial Center focuses heavily on the five senses. Children work with smelling jars to match similar scents, Montessori Sound Cylinders to refine listening skills, and Touch Boards and Touch Tablets to strengthen the tactile sense and prepare the hand for writing. Visual discrimination materials help children notice differences in size, shape, color, and dimension. These carefully designed Montessori materials naturally encourage focus, independent thinking, and quiet concentration.

We read books such as I Am Growing, My Feet, and My Five Senses to help children connect classroom learning to their own bodies and experiences.

One of the most meaningful parts of our day happens during the closing circle before lunch. Children are guided through a quiet breathing and mindfulness exercise. After three deep breaths, the class holds silence for a short moment while focusing inward on the body and its organs.

Over time, I have noticed that many children naturally choose this work during the day. They quietly find a space, sit peacefully for a minute or two, and simply pause.

In a Montessori classroom, silence is not about forcing children to be quiet — it is about helping them discover inner calm, focus, and awareness. Silent work has become a valuable part of maintaining peace, balance, and purposeful learning in our classroom environment.

At My World Child Care Center and Montessori, we believe children learn best through hands-on play experiences that support healthy brain development, creativity, communication, and social skills — principles also encouraged by trusted local pediatric providers such as Colonia Pediatrics

Book A Tour

Question 4

More Than Letters and Numbers: A Mom Shares What Her Preschooler Learned

Accepted Answer

Children learn kindness, friendship, empathy, and community through everyday experiences and relationships.

By My World Child Care Center and Montessori | June 23, 2026

As our graduates prepare for kindergarten, one parent recently reflected on her daughter's journey at My
World. Her story reminded us that preschool is about much more than letters and numbers.

More Than Academic Preparation

As educators, we are often asked what children learn in preschool. Parents want to know if their child will learn letters, numbers, reading, writing, and the skills needed to be successful in kindergarten.

These are important questions, and academic growth certainly takes place every day in our Montessori
classroom. However, some of the most meaningful lessons children learn cannot be measured by a
worksheet, a test, or a report card

Recently, a parent shared a conversation that deeply touched me and reminded me why early childhood education is about so much more than academics.

A Family's Journey and a Strong Classroom Community

Their family moved to New Jersey several years ago and enrolled their daughter at My World Child Care Center and Montessori.

Reflecting on their experience, the parent shared that joining our school was one of the best things that happened to their family after moving here. They spoke about the strong classroom community their daughter became a part of and the positive changes they have seen in her personality over the years.

One of the things they appreciated most was the sense of belonging their daughter found within her
classroom. She formed meaningful friendships, learned to work alongside children from different
backgrounds, and became part of a caring community that their family will deeply miss as graduation
approaches.

A Lesson Applied Beyond the Classroom

The parent then shared a recent experience involving their daughter.

During a conversation about differences between people, their daughter calmly responded,

"All people are the same. Our skin may be different, but we are all the same inside."

As her teacher, hearing those words brought me tremendous joy.

Earlier this year, our class read and discussed the book Children All Around the World. Through stories and conversations, the children explored the idea that although people may come from different countries, speak different languages, or have different appearances, we all share the same feelings, hopes, dreams, and needs.

What made this moment so meaningful was seeing a child take a lesson from the classroom and apply it thoughtfully to a real-life situation.

Children often absorb far more than we realize. They listen, observe, and gradually develop their understanding of the world around them. Watching a child demonstrate empathy, understanding, and respect for others is one of the greatest rewards of teaching.

Reading the World Around Her

The parent also shared examples of their daughter's academic growth through the Montessori approach to learning.

While many children are still recognizing letters and numbers, they have noticed their daughter reading words she encounters naturally in everyday life. She reads words printed on her father's T-shirts, signs she sees while traveling, and headings she notices around her.

Rather than simply memorizing letters, she has begun using reading as a tool to understand the world around her.

Understanding Mathematics Through Montessori

The parent also shared that her understanding of mathematics extends far beyond counting to one hundred.

Through hands-on Montessori experiences, she understands units, tens, hundreds, and thousands. More importantly, she understands the relationships between these quantities rather than simply memorizing number sequences.
This is one of the qualities I love most about Montessori education. Children are not taught merely to memorize information. They are given concrete experiences that help
them develop deep understanding and genuine curiosity. When that understanding begins to appear naturally in everyday life, meaningful learning has taken place.

Looking Ahead to Kindergarten

Perhaps the most touching part of our conversation came when the parent spoke about their daughter's upcoming transition to kindergarten. As graduation approaches and their daughter prepares to begin public school, the parent expressed both excitement and concern.

They are proud of the confident, thoughtful, caring, and capable young girl she has become. At the same time, they hope the positive growth they have witnessed continues as she moves on to the next chapter of her education. As educators, there is perhaps no greater compliment.

What Children Really Learn in Preschool

Our goal has never been simply to prepare children academically for kindergarten. We hope to help children become confident learners, compassionate friends, respectful community
members, and thoughtful human beings.

Academic skills open doors, but qualities such as kindness, empathy, confidence, independence, and respect help children thrive throughout their lives. As we celebrate another graduating class, we are proud of the reading, writing, and mathematical understanding our children have developed.

Just as importantly, we are proud of the character they have built, the friendships they have formed, and the values they carry with them. Moments like this remind us that some of the most important lessons children learn in preschool are the lessons they will carry for the rest of their lives.

Interested in Learning More?

If you would like to see how children develop confidence, independence, academic readiness, and a strong sense of community, we invite you to visit our classrooms and experience Montessori learning in action.

Book a Tour and Discover the My World Difference

At My World Child Care Center and Montessori, we believe children learn best through hands-on play experiences that support healthy brain development, creativity, communication, and social skills — principles also encouraged by trusted local pediatric providers such as Colonia Pediatrics

Child Care Center & Montessori

Child Care Center & Montessori

Early Learning Blog for Parents

Read the latest Montessori preschool blogs, childcare tips, classroom activities, and early childhood education insights from My World Child Care Center and Montessori in New Jersey.

More Than Letters and Numbers: A Mom Shares What Her Preschooler Learned

How Does Silent Work Help Young Children Concentrate?

What Do Children Really Learn Through Play?

Child Care Center & Montessori