1) Several holistic teaching methods are gaining popularity among educators and parents, including the Montessori Method and Reggio Emilia Approach. 2) The Montessori Method emphasizes self-directed learning activities overseen by teachers and uses interactive materials to suit children's developmental levels. It has shown success with both gifted and special needs children. 3) The Reggio Emilia Approach also allows child-led learning based on their interests through teacher-facilitated projects. One school adapted this approach to address skills needed for kindergarten while fostering critical thinking.

1. P2 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 1ST AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT OF THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR
School
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
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28
Holistic teaching methods emphasize
Bethesda Christian School
Bishop Chatard High School
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
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27
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children’s interests, growth
By Bob Sullivan For Custom Publications
Cardinal Ritter High School 19
Cathedral High School 31
Covenant Christian High School 3
When considering what
Greenwood Christian Academy 16
private school best fits a
Heritage Christian School 13 child’s needs, keep in mind
The Hutson School 24 several holistic teaching
International School of Indiana 5 methods that are gaining
JEWEL Christian Academy 29 popularity among educators
Kingsway Christian School 20 and parents. Here’s what
Midwest Academy of Indiana 28 parents need to know.
Montessori Centres 16
The Oaks Academy 11
The Orchard School 24
The Montessori Method teacher adapts the child’s environment
Park Tudor 26 to suit his or her developmental level.
The Montessori Method pre-kindergarten — eighth grade
Providence Cristo Rey High School 17 “Work is broken down into four
The Montessori Method was rough categories for well-rounded
Roncalli High School 22 Montessori Centres Community developed by Dr. Maria Montessori development — language, math,
563 W. Westfield Blvd. Montessori School in Italy in the late 1800s. Montessori sensorial and practical life,” Boone said.
St. Richard’s School 18 Indianapolis, IN 46208 9069 E. 141st St. created interactive projects based on The method shows equal success with
St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High School 21 (317) 257-2224 Fishers, IN 46038 how she observed children learning. gifted pre-K children as well as those
www.montessoricentres.com (317) 774-8551 The same materials are used today.
Scecina Memorial High School 9 suspected of having Down syndrome,
www.communitymontessori.info “Everything’s the same — only
Northside Montessori dyslexia, autism or other learning
The Summit Academy 30 1224 E. 52nd St. the clothes have changed,” joked disorders.
Indianapolis, IN 46205 Lynn Boone, director of Montessori “It’s key to catch the kids early,”
Sycamore School 25 Centres Inc., on the northeast side of
(317) 251-2979 Boone said. “It works particularly well
Traders Point Christian Academy 26 www.northsidemontessori.org Indianapolis. when we can help them pre-K.”
Montessori emphasizes self-directed Boone calls the Montessori option at
University High School 6 activities overseen by a teacher observing Indianapolis Public Schools 56, 67 and
which projects students choose. The 91 “the best-kept secret in town.”
Credits
This is an advertising produced by Custom Reggio Emilia Approach pre-kindergarten
Publications, a division of The Indianapolis Star Reggio Emilia Approach
Media Group. Like the Montessori Method, the Reggio Emilia
Approach enables children to take an active part in Indianapolis Reggio The Early Learning Center The Early Learning
learning based on their interests. Collaborative at Amy Beverland Center at Winding Ridge
Content “If the children take an interest in something — www.enegene.com 11660 Fox Road 11845 E. 46th St.
■ Leigh Hedger, content manager let’s say insects — the teacher facilitates a project Indianapolis, IN 46236 Indianapolis, IN 46236
■ Angela Parker, editor to help them follow that interest and learn,” said Warren Early
■ Manda Newlin, Holly Wheeler, contributing editors
Ron Smith, director of the Warren Early Childhood Center The Early Learning
■ Brooke Baker, Jen Bingham, Deb Brandt
Childhood Center. 1401 N. Mitthoefer Road Center at Brook Park Saint Mary’s Child Center
Buehler, Nikki Keever, Kay Kenney, Jim Pavlik,
Smith and his staff successfully adapted project- Indianapolis, IN 46229 5249 N. David St. www.stmaryschildcenter.org
Bob Sullivan, Vasanthi Vasudevan, Ryan (317) 869-4750 Indianapolis, IN 46226
Werbeck, Julie Young, contributing writers
based learning at the center in 2004. Thompson Building — Main
“My staff spent several years studying the Reggio http://earlychildhood.warren. 901 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
k12.in.us/home
The Early Learning Center
Design Emilia Approach and adapted several of its concepts at Mary Castle Indianapolis, IN 46202
■ Beth Winchell, graphics supervisor for our program,” he explained. “We address all the MSD Lawrence Township 8510 E. 82nd St. (317) 635-1491
■ Joe Soria, graphic designer skills children need to prepare for kindergarten while Early Learning Centers Indianapolis, IN 46256
■ Nikki Bumpas, contributing designer
Gilliatte Building — Fort
providing opportunities to think critically about the To reach any of next seven 9230 Hawkins Road
Advertising world around them.” centers, call (317) 423-8216 Indianapolis, IN 46216
■ Jason Free, (317) 444-5511, The Warren Early Childhood Center is part or visit https://elc.ltschools. (317) 543-0782
jason.free@indystar.com of the Indianapolis Reggio Collaborative, which org/index.php.
includes four learning centers in Lawrence Township.