My name is Julie Peters. I am the proud parent of four beautiful children, ranging in age from 4 to 12 (that's me and my three youngest to your left). 

As a committed and loving parent, I know just how much of an impact education can have on children. Over the last 10 years, I have volunteered in the classroom, watching my children and other parents' children develop their natural instincts to learn.

I can tell you without hesitation that when children learn, they engage many natural tendencies… including the inclination to be independent and make decisions, create order and develop self discipline. Children learn by using creativity, effort and concentration as a means of reaching their highest potential.

How My Son Jacob Almost "Fell Through the Cracks" in School

When my oldest son Jacob was only 5, his teachers started calling to tell me he was having trouble in the classroom. Jacob's teachers felt he might be attention disordered, because he was not able to sit at his desk for more than an hour or so at a time, and didn't seem to interact well with other students.

At first, I presumed my child was simply adjusting to spending time in the classroom environment.

As time went on, I received more frequent calls from Jacob's teachers, who insisted that he should be held back. They all claimed he was not mature enough to progress to the first grade.

I was shocked at their comments, because Jacob demonstrated consistently normal behavior while at home and in other group settings. He never had any trouble with other children when they got together for play dates, and interacted frequently with other children in social settings.

Discovering the World of Montessori

It was around this time that my neighbor Lori happened to mention that she had placed her child in a Montessori school. 

I didn't have any idea what Montessori was, but was impressed with her children's achievements in school. I started asking Lori a lot of questions, and when I felt I learned as much information as I possibly could from her, I decided to start visiting some of the Montessori academies in my area.

I was pleasantly surprised at the warm reception. All of the schools allowed me to spend time in the classroom observing their practices and teaching methods.

What amazed me most, was the level of excitement demonstrated by children in the Montessori school.

I found a school that I liked, and briefly discussed with the Montessori teacher my concerns about Jacobs's behavior in public school.

After assuring me that Jacob's experience was a very common mistake made by kindergarten teachers, the Montessori school's director didn't hesitate a moment and strongly recommend I have Jacob try a year with them. Well, without hesitation I enrolled Jacob for school at Montessori that Fall. My son was actually termed 'gifted' within weeks of attending Montessori. Several of the staff commented on his enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to help out other students in the classroom.

I was so impressed with his improvements I volunteered to help out in the classroom a few times a month.

Since that time as my children have reached school age, I have enrolled all of them in schools practicing the Montessori method of teaching. None of my children have had any problems, and they have all excelled and surpassed their peers on educational assessment tests.

I learned many things while my children have been learning in Montessori. From other parents and skilled educators, I learned that children need to be encouraged to choose from a variety of different developmental activities.. so they learn how to teach themselves.