Beijing is not short of schools, and picking the right school for your kids might be the hardest thing ever. I am a big fan of Montessori education; this way of teaching is by far the best fit for my daughter. So when I heard one of the long-time Beijing expats was going to open a Montessori school I was excited. Why would you even start such a crazy journey as creating a school from scratch?
“Why not?” is the answer of Alesia Chizzoniti, founder and director of Blossom Montessori Culture Center. Having a school that her kids can attend, and that has the same beliefs as her Montessori background is essential. Chizzoniti attended Montessori education herself, and is convinced that this is the best route for her kids and many more. Blossom Montessori will offer lower and upper elementary programs.
The child is not an empty vessel, but a human being with full potential to absorb and learn from the environment. Learning in a Montessori Environment is not teacher led, but child driven. It is an environment in which active learning trumps passivity.
~Alessia
If I know one thing for sure it’s that Chizzoniti has a passion for kids and education. She believes in the wholeness of children, and her spark and energy are infectious. Chizzoniti has been working tirelessly on opening the doors to this new school this Saturday, for the first open day. Kids will make masks, snacks are provided, and having a good look around is encouraged. All of Beijng’s families are invited to come and see the new space for themselves in the Central Business District (CBD) area.
What can you expect from Montessori education?
- Mixed age classroom
- Free student choice
- Uninterrupted blocks of work time,
- A constructive or “discovery” model, where students learn from working
- Specialized educational materials, based on scientific observation
- Freedom of movement within the classroom
- Trained Montessori teachers
Location: Global Trade Mansion GuangHua Lu, 9 A2-2F 世贸国际公寓，光华路9号A2-2F
Photos: courtesy of Blossom Montessori
