International Preschool in Milan, Italy

The Bilingual Montessori School of Milan:
The Bilingual Montessori School of Milan is a preschool for children ages three to six years, located close to the city centre of Milan, Italy. We provide bilingual education to our students: In both classrooms, a team of two teachers, one Italian speaker and the other English speaker, collaborate using a bilingual approach to education. The two teachers take turns with the childrens' activities, while communicating in their native tongues. The bilingual approach is particularly appropriate for a Montessori classroom, where teachers typically emphasize individualized interaction with the students.

The preschool includes two multi-age bilingual Montessori classrooms. The classrooms are designed to provide an accessible, safe and inviting environment for each child. The furniture is child-sized, allowing easy access to a wide range of carefully selected activities around the room. Each child chooses her or his activities freely, feeling safe in the knowledge that the teacher is always nearby and ready to support their efforts.

About Bilingualism:
Several types of bilingualism occur in children: Premature and simultaneous bilingualism refers to a situation when both languages are present at birth. When the second language is introduced after the age of three, premature and consecutive bilingualism is the outcome. When contact with the second language begins after the age of six, the learning mechanisms are different from those of language acquisition and lead to late bilingualism.

Different factors affect the development of bilingualism in children:
- The trigger for the acquisition of two languages early in life is always the young child’s need to interact with people who speak more than one language.
- The various stages of bilingual language development are affected by the age of the first contact with the second language;
- The level of competence that can be reached in both languages depends on the social context of the child.

Bilingual Preschool Program for children ages 3-6 years. Curriculum includes:
- Montessori method
- Bilingual education
- Educational activities
- Practical life activities
- Outdoor activities
- Music education

Additionally: Summer camp program and after-school programs.

* Bilingual Primary School opening in September 2011

What are the Advantages of Montessori Education?
Research shows that Montessori children are well prepared for future academic and social life. In addition to strong showing on standardized school tests, Montessori children are considered above average in criteria such as i) listening carefully, ii) using basic skills, iii) demonstrating a sense of responsibility, iv) showing enthusiasm for learning and v) adjusting to new situations.