Hundreds of kids have graduated from Bellwood Christian Montessori School in Milford over the past 25 years, but the school’s mission has remained the same for all those years: to develop the wholeness of each child.
The preschool opened in August 1998, and Director Sandra Stauffer has been a part of the school for 24 of its 25 years.
“I started in the classroom in 1999 as an assistant,” Stauffer said.
She is now in her 18th year as director of the school.
“This program was started as a mission outreach of Bellwood Mennonite Church by Betta Kym,” Stauffer said.
The preschool operates three mornings each week in the church’s lower level.
Stauffer said the Montessori approach to education emphasizes children’s natural development and helps them understand the world around them.
“It is based on observation. The aim is to help the child develop a sense of security and identity,” Stauffer said. “We want to help each child grow physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.”
A Montessori classroom uses a largely hands-on education method, developed by Maria Montessori, in which students make physical and mental connections using their senses.
At Bellwood, the classroom is divided into four areas for practical life skills, sensorial experiences, language and math. It also has areas for geography and natural science.
“Everything in the classroom has a specific use and there is nothing in the room that the child cannot see or touch, for this is how they learn,” Stauffer said.
Music, art and Bible stories are also integrated into activities each day. The children choose their activities.
“Teachers observe and give individual lessons to children for the first two hours of the day,”
Stauffer said. “The last hour is a combination of line (group) time with lessons, recess, Bible stories and music.”
The school is open to students ages 3 to 5. Currently 22 students are enrolled, bringing the preschool to full capacity.
